Suicide Prevention Month

The month of September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health doctor, Lee Lee Marlow, and Director of Children and Youth Services at Weem Community Mental Health Center spoke about challenges and efforts parents can take in helping their child's mental health.

On average, according to a study conducted by Telosity, 85% of American parents agreed that their children could benefit from mental health services. Statistics show that suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 15-24.

“Most of the time parents are not aware of what to look for or even consider their child could be having suicidal thoughts”, said Dr. Marlow. One thing that parents need to look for really is maybe a behavior change. Maybe your child is social and then becomes isolated. Maybe they are typically introverted and become more social; just a change in what you would consider normal is the best thing that you can look for.”

Since the uproar of COVID-19 and efforts to keep children safe through isolation by socially distancing and virtual learning, the effect of loneliness could bring on health issues.

“I think we’ve seen depression, suicidality, anxiety because they are more isolated. They are not in their typical routine of going to school and being involved with extracurricular activities, so their whole routine has become disturbed. Family members, as you said, are sick in their homes or have to be isolated. All of that is difficult for kids to deal with and they tend to assume the worst and it's been challenging to work with kids in this whole pandemic.”

Over two-thirds of Americans believe that mental health education should be provided. Weems Community Mental Health Center provides all schools in Meridian with a therapist or counselor.

For more information on suicide awareness visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/