***To All Parents***
Teen Depression and Suicide - NOW A Worldwide EPIDEMIC
Suicide is now the SECOND Leading Cause of Death among Minnesota Teens and the THIRD Cause of Death in the United States
AUGUST 3, 2017 - Suicides in Teen Girls Hit 40-Year High
Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 44,000 people. Suicide was the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 14, and the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15 and 34. There were more than twice as many suicides (44,193) in the United States as there were homicides (17,793).
5 Reasons Teens Become Bullies
The reason I have created this website, is not to step on your toes or try to be "you". I am a single mom with 3 children of my own and I am doing the very best I can to raise my children with proper morals and compassion for others. I have not walked, but ran to school several times to report a bully my child has told me about. I don't allow my children to treat anyone with any kind of disrespect so I won't allow others to disrespect mine. I have dealt with depression and anxiety in one of my kids and have so far been successful in treating it. If you want, please feel free to read "About Me" you will understand more about what I've been through. You will also see there that it is legal to give advice or to just listen to those who need someone other than a parent, relative, friend, etc., to talk to without a degree behind my name. My hope is that they do come to you and that is what I encourage. I hope you will also read my legal disclaimer. I encourage you to browse through the links to better understand depression and suicide in our youth today. We as parents need to keep our kids safe. Teens do get depression and it can start as early as elementary school. "We" must look for the symptoms of depression before one of our children is another statistic. With all the teasing/bullying, cliques, guns and knives, we have to stand up for our children because no one else will.
Depression is a clinical reality. People experiencing depression, whether adult or teenager or child, cannot "just snap out of it" or make themselves well. They need help and treatment. This is a corporation in the State of Minnesota. It is a legal 501c3 Non Profit Organization.
I do hope you will allow your child to come here for information or a lending ear. I also hope you as a parent will get involved and email me if you have any questions. I more than welcome you to do so.
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
If a child lives with recognition, he learns it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty he learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have
faith in himself and those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world
is a nice place in which to live to love and be loved.
To all parents who may read this, I urge you to please talk to your kids daily and find out how they are “really” doing. Depression can start at such an early age so we need to watch for signs of it. The statistics are never correct because nobody knows every teen that has committed suicide. However they suffer and they don’t have to suffer alone. We have all seen how bullying can lead to suicide. But that is only one reason. There are so many different reasons why a child would chose to take his or her own life. Maybe your teen is struggling with his/her sexual identity. If so, please help your teen and love them unconditionally. What if your child is a bully?
Teachers have their hands full as it is. They are not supposed to be the ones watching for signs of depression. If they see someone drastically change their behavior, then they may step in. It is our job as parents to keep a very close eye on our kids and never assume “it won’t happen to my child.” It CAN happen to anyone’s child. Nobody should ever feel they need to die to be happy. I’ve been there….I thought that was the only way I could be happy and I thank God I am still alive. I will be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. But that’s OK with me because it enables me to LIVE.
What can Parents/Guardians Do?
Home is where values and expectations for norms of behavior are initially taught. It is also where students first learn biases against social, ethnic, religious, and other groups. Biases that can lead to bullying begin in early childhood. Veronica Neal, a diversity educator, has stated that “Pre-prejudice happens between 2 and 3 years old. Values tend to become solidified between ages 5 and 9.”
Parents/guardians play a key role in setting and enforcing expectations for behavior. It is important for parents to:
•Maintain and reinforce that bullying in any form is wrong and will not be tolerated.
•Give clear messages that being a witness is not unacceptable, but doing nothing or encouraging the bully is. Provide expectations and guidance for actions that should be taken should your child witness bullying behavior.
•Ensure your child knows how and to whom to report bullying behavior.
•Refrain from blaming the child for being a target.
•Refrain from suggesting retaliation or taking things into your own hands. Let the school or police assist as needed.
•Have frequent discussions about what is acceptable and unacceptable language and behavior.
•Supervise and monitor your child’s activities.
•Set appropriate consequences for non-compliance and enforce them consistently.
•Contact school personnel if any concerns or issues arise. Maintain a log or documentation of any mistreatment your child has reported.
•Know your child’s friends and become familiar with their parents/guardians. Know how they spend their free time and with whom.
•Take time to talk about school and school activities.
•Attend school events.
•Monitor technology and cell phone usage.
•Participate in any anti-bullying training.
•Embrace and reinforce anti-bullying plans/projects.
•Support the school and its expectations for behavior and achievement.
•Teach tolerance of differences among individuals.
•Praise and reinforce your child for demonstrating proper behavior.
•Assist your child in developing and practicing good social problem-solving skills by modeling, role playing, etc.
•Expand children’s confidence by allowing and encouraging them to participate in social/extracurricular activities.
•Applaud your child’s individuality. Help your child appreciate diversity.
•Seek additional help from the school counselor or mental health professional if needed.
Here is a great link on Teens and Depression:
**Living with your teen's depression and recognizing the signs**
Help your child improve their self esteem
Parents please help your child...read this
Great site on Parenting Teens who have Depression
Your child may be using self injury as a way to cope.
Self-harm becomes today's Anorexia Myths and facts about cutting and self-harm
Balanced Mind Parent Network - Depression & Bipolar Support
Has your child been sexually abused? See how to get help here!
Please feel free to email me with questions or comments anytime. julieflynn58@yahoo.com
They hide it very well so please talk to your kids and check them for any cuts or burns.
It's on the rise.
I personally had never heard of self-injury until I started educating myself on teen depression.
Thank you and God Bless,
Julie Flynn
