'Bring it out of the dark and into the light': A conversation about teen suicide prevention
BOISE, Idaho — The local community is experiencing pain right now. There have been a number of recent deaths by suicide at schools in the Treasure Valley.
Those students had family. They had friends and they will be missed.
Suicide is a public health issue, and KTVB had a conversation with several mental health experts about ways to help those experiencing a crisis.
BOISE, Idaho — The local community is experiencing pain right now. There have been a number of recent deaths by suicide at schools in the Treasure Valley.
Those students had family. They had friends and they will be missed.
Suicide is a public health issue, and KTVB had a conversation with several mental health experts about ways to help those experiencing a crisis.
"Have your cell phone, call 988, put it on speaker. They can help through the process. You're not in this alone," Jarvis said. "So just know that their is support the help around those conversations [with your child]."
988 is free, anonymous, and open 24/7. You can call or text the number to get help from a dispatcher from Idaho's Crisis and Suicide Hotline.
The Speedy Foundation is a local nonprofit that champions effective suicide prevention and mental health awareness. They also offer free online trainings on suicide prevention.
Speedy Foundation Executive Director Shannon Decker said a student's peers can also give insight into how a teenager is feeling.
"For educators and for parents, knowing these signs - but also being able to have direct conversations and relationships with their kid's friends," Decker said. "Because it's our peers who really have a pulse on what's going on."
One training that Decker recommends is QPR - or 'Question, Persuade, Refer' - Gatekeeper Training. A free, hour-long on-demand course on how to get help for someone who may be suicidal.
Decker said there are several warning signs that a teenager could be entering a mental health crisis.
"Looking at youth, some of those risk factors are disturbances in sleep," Decker said. "When we have young people who are not getting the sleep that they need, especially if they're struggling with another type of crisis. Issues surrounding sexual identity and gender are huge. Eating disorders. Setbacks and perfectionism is something that we're really seeing in our youth. Social media really contributes to this. But it's more than just like the technology piece - it's connection."
Connection can be a cure.
"When there's connection, there's more ability to walk away from addiction, there's more ability to survive, there's more ability to find purpose," Jarvis said. "Sometimes human experience is rough. And this is why we need each other. This where humanity comes in, and we see the best of it when we gather together and lift other people up."
There are several upcoming events in the Treasure Valley centered around suicide prevention and mental health awareness:
Tues Nov. 14th at 5:30 p.m. - Virtual: 'Hope Lives: Preventing Teen Suicide.' A virtual film screening and panel discussion for community members in the Boise area who have been impacted by suicide loss or suicidal ideation.
Thurs Nov. 16th at 6 p.m. at Mountain Home Junior High School: A presentation from former WWE IC champion Marc Mero on suicide prevention, substance abuse, bullying and depression.
Sat Nov 18th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at JUMP in Boise: 'International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.' A memorial bringing together survivors of suicide loss to find connection and hope.