Resources & Support
Get Help Now
If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or alone, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Your call will be directed to a local crisis center where a trained counselor will answer. All calls are free and confidential. No problem is too big or too small. You can also chat online at www.988lifeline.org.
YOUTH SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS
- Feelings of Hopelessness
- Anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping or sleeping all of the time
- Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
- Feelings of being trapped – like there’s no way out
- Increased alcohol and/or drug use, withdrawal from friends, family, and community
- Rage, uncontrolled anger, expressions of wanting or seeking revenge
- Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking
- Dramatic mood changes
- Giving away prized possessions
For more information about youth suicide warning signs and risk factors, please visit The Jason Foundation and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
TEEN DEPRESSION WARNING SIGNS
From Families for Depression Awareness
- Depressed, irritable, sad, or empty mood for at least two weeks
- Decreased interest or enjoyment in once-favorite activities and people
- Changes in appetite, eating too much or too little, significant weight gain or loss
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Physical agitation or slowness
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Low self-esteem, feeling guilty
- Decreased ability to concentrate, indecisive
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts or behavior (*seek immediate medical help)
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR A FRIEND WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN
Take it seriously. Act NOW
- Find a quiet, private place to talk to your friend
- Tell him/her why you are concerned and what specific behaviors you’ve noticed
- Talk in a calm, nonjudgmental, and caring way
- Listen, don’t lecture
- Encourage your friend to seek help
- Prepare for all possible reactions because you may need to ask other people to assist you
- Take care of yourself
- Offer support, understanding, and encouragement
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Never keep talk of suicide a secret ➜ tell a trusted adult (school nurse, school counselor, teacher, coach, parent, etc.)
Maintaining Our Mental Health
It’s Important Whether We Are Feeling Well Or Not
Self care is the practice of intentionally doing things to help you improve or maintain your wellbeing and happiness, particularly when you are stressed. Self care is individual. What works for one person may not work for another. Find something YOU like and note that.
What makes
you feel happy?
Think about what makes you happy! Do you enjoy listening to music, socializing with friends, organizing your space, watching funny videos or a show you love, or making pottery? Finding out what makes you happy is important in your self care journey.
What makes you feel productive?
Feeling like you’re getting things done and accomplishing small goals can boost your mental health. Try things like cleaning up your space, completing a workout, organizing your closet, or journaling to sharpen your focus, elevate your mood, and declutter your mind.
Be a friend
to yourself
It is very important that we remember to take care of ourselves while we're supporting others. You can't be there for your friends if you're not taking care of yourself. Take time to show yourself the same empathy and kindness you show your friends.
Additional Support
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
AACAP Resource Centers empower individuals through patient education. Each AACAP Resource Center contains consumer-friendly definitions, answers to frequently asked questions, clinical resources, expert videos, and abstracts from the JAACAP, Scientific Proceedings and Facts for Families relevant to each disorder.
Families for Depression Awareness
Families for Depression Awareness helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides. The organization offers education, training, and support to unite families and help them heal while coping with mood disorders.
KidsHealth
KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. KidsHealth is more than just the facts about health. As part of The Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens.
National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide
The American Association of Suicidology National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide believes that suicide can often be prevented. Strong communities, safe schools, and supportive families all help the development of healthy youth. For youth struggling with mental illness and or substance abuse, effective services make a difference.
Prevent Suicide PA
Prevent Suicide PA is the only statewide, nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing suicide in Pennsylvania. Their mission is to provide education and collaborate with the community to prevent suicide, reduce the stigma associated with suicide, and support those touched by suicide.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of crisis centers dedicated to suicide prevention that are located in communities across the country. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or alone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Your call will be directed to a local crisis center where a trained counselor will answer. If you prefer to chat online, you can visit the Lifeline’s website to instant message with a skilled counselor.
TeenCentral.net
TeenCentral.Net is a safe, free and totally anonymous site that offers help when you need it most. If you have a problem, question, difficult situation or just want to vent, write your “story” and there will be an answer waiting for you within 24-hours. It’s that easy – so log on and work it out!
Aevidum
Explore Aevidum’s many free programs for students, educators, and communities. We empower students to shatter the silence surrounding mental health & suicide. Learn how to bring the Aevidum message to your school.
We make it alright to make it all right.
At Aevidum’s core is an educational philosophy that positions Aevidum advisors in roles to challenge students to find their strengths and then to discover opportunities where they can amplify their voices. These experiences empower students to live lives of purpose and substance.
