Counselor points to healthy paths for preventing suicide

Sucide is an epidemic among teenagers, being the second leading cause of teen death. Mental health professionals in the last decade have been figuring out how to decrease that statistic. Due to the high statistics, chances are that you know someone who is suicidal, but what do you do if a friend comes to you asking for help? 

School guidance counselor Erin Gardner has been helping students with mental health for years and she said,  “I would say reach out to someone, a teacher or school counselor, someone they know that would help the student, a responsible adult, someone that can get that person help. You can definitely talk to them and let them know they are important and that you are there for them, but if you are concerned for their safety, you should never take it on yourself. There’s a lot of people that can support them and you.” 

Regarding what to do if you need help but are struggling to ask for it, Gardner said, “know it’s OK to not be OK. There are gonna be rough parts in your life, and it’s OK to ask for help. Talk to someone you can trust like an adult or your friend and talk about how you’re feeling because you’re important to a lot of people. You are not a burden and people are always there to listen and help. They would rather be there and listen to you then not have you there.” 

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-8255 (En Español – 1-888-628-9454) 

Crisis Text Line – Text 741741 for crisis help

 

(Non-crisis mental health resource)

NAMI Iowa – Email: info@namiiowa.org – Phone: 515-254-0417 (Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

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