Suicide Prevention: recognizing red fl ag behaviors in youth
JAMES MCGUIRK
BY JAMES MCGUIRK
PH.D., PRESIDENT OF THE CHILDREN’S
FOUNDATION OF ASTOR
Each September we celebrate the
beginning of a new academic year, a
time often fi lled with optimism and
excitement over a fresh start. Starting
school can stir up a multitude of
emotions, whether a child is new to
a building or moving up to the next
grade. While many children are able
to approach the new year with positive
expectations, some struggle to adjust
and grapple with worry and concern
over what lies ahead. Between
academic pressures, social obligations
and change in general, turning over a
new leaf can be tough.
September marks another signifi -
cant event – National Suicide Prevention
Week. A topic that has been gaining
more recognition lately due to
shows like Netfl ix’s “13 Reasons Why”
and national news stories, suicide
is alarming for adults and children
alike. According to the Center for Disease
Control (CDC), suicide is the second
leading cause of death for youth
ages 10 to 24. The suicide rate for teenage
girls reached an all-time high in
2015 and for black children ages 5 to 11,
suicide is considered a national emergency.
Parents and guardians are responsible
for their children’s health and
well-being, including regular checkups
with a physician, a common and
often required back-to-school ritual.
Less talked about but perhaps more
important, raising children must also
include nurturing their mental health.
Spotting the signs of a child who is
struggling can be the difference between
life and death, and sometimes
those signs are hard to distinguish
from normal developmental stages.
Suicidal behavior among youth
is complicated and can be diffi cult to
differentiate from normal responses
to the challenges of being a child in
this day and age. Ready to conquer the
world one day and reluctant to get out
of bed the next, many youth are temperamental
by nature. As a parent, it
is important to be an astute observer of
changes in their moods and behaviors.
In general, you should contact a mental
health professional if you observe
excessive worry, sudden changes in
behavior, disruption of sleep, isolation
from families or friends, use of drugs
and alcohol, increased acts of anger
or aggression or frequent and rapid
changes in mood.
Risk of suicide is heightened for
children who struggle with health issues
such as bipolar disorder, depression,
schizophrenia, anxiety disorders,
serious physical health conditions and
traumatic brain injuries. Other at-risk
groups include children who struggle
with gender identity or sexual orientation,
who are sadly and frequently subjected
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, S 48 EPTEMBER 6-12, 2019 BTR
to bullying by their peers. Family
history, previous suicide attempts
and abuse, neglect or trauma also play
a role in determining someone’s risk
level. If youth experience a sudden increase
in stress, they may react with
suicidal ideation which can lead to a
suicide attempt.
Any indication that your child feels
unwanted, unloved, hopeless or helpless
should be taken seriously. If your
child says things like “I hate myself,”
“I hate my life” or “Nobody cares if
I am no longer around,” you need to
respond and take immediate action.
They may not be suicidal, but by addressing
their concerns, asking the
right questions and taking them to see
a doctor or mental health professional,
you could save their life. Do not take a
chance and let it slide.
Encourage your child to talk about
their feelings by prompting them and
asking questions. Active listening is
key to engaging a child when they are
experiencing emotional upset. For instance,
if your child, regardless of age,
comes home from school and seems
upset, a good fi rst response is, “You
seem upset.” Ask them what is bothering
them and allow them to respond.
You may say, “From what I understand,
you are having a rough day because
of XYZ. I’m sorry that happened
to you.” How can I help?” This opens a
doorway for them to express their emotions,
which youth often struggle to do.
Once you understand what is going on,
you can assess the situation and provide
the proper support.
Listening and following your child’s
lead will make them feel more comfortable
and signal to them that you are
trying to understand what they are
experiencing. Many parents instinctively
jump in and give advice, but that
is not always the best approach. In general,
people do not process advice well
when they are upset. It is best to say
something like, “How can I help?” so to
allow your child to tell you what they
need. There will be plenty of opportunities
to offer solutions, after your
child has calmed down.
When speaking with your child,
do not be afraid to ask them if they
have been thinking of hurting or killing
themselves. Asking about suicide
or suicidal thoughts does not cause
harm or plant a seed in someone’s
mind. Not only does it provide an
opportunity to evaluate your child’s
risk, but it demonstrates that you are
open to discussing emotional problems.
If your child is struggling, it is
important to tell them that it is okay
to feel sad or anxious and that they
are not alone.
If you continue to have concerns, no
matter how small, do not take chances.
It is truly better to be safe than sorry.
Do not be apprehensive about seeking
professional help for you or your loved
one. By scheduling an appointment for
a consultation with your child’s pediatrician
or a mental health expert, you
can save a life. If you live in Dutchess
or Ulster County, or the Bronx, NY,
you can bring your child into one of
Astor Services for Children & Families’
mental health clinics, no appointment
necessary.
James McGuirk, Ph.D., president
of the Children’s Foundation of Astor,
has extensive clinical experience working
with high risk youth. A licensed psychologist,
McGuirk previously served as
CEO of Astor Services for Children &
Families for 17 years. For more information
on programs and services offered
by Astor, please visit www.astorservices.
org.
The next meeting of
the Pelham Parkway
Neighborhood Association
will take place on
Tuesday, September 20,
at Bronx House, located
at 990 Pelham Parkway
South, at 7:15 p.m.
Our special featured
speaker for the meeting
will be the the Honorable
Darcel Clark, Bronx District
Attorney.
Please bring your issues,
questions, and concerns
to our next meeting.
Issues get addressed
and action taken. Community
involvement is vital
to having a safe, clean,
and graffi ti-free neighborhood.
The PPNA works
around the clock and
year-round to improve the
quality of life in Pelham
Parkway.
We can always be
reached by email at pelhamparkwayNA@
gmail.
com.
Please look for and like
us on Facebook for neighborhood
updates.
Please join us for this
very important guest.
Hello all, hope everyone
had a safe and fun fi lled Labor
Day Weekend. Congrats
to all the young folks who
competed in their club’s
events and thanks to the
older folks who take time to
continue worthwhile local
traditions.
On September 1, 1939, Hitler
invaded Poland which began
WW2 with over 85 million
killed. Remember our
Greatest Generation.
On Sunday, September 15
it’s back to business with our
Legion programs. We meet at
American Turners NY, the
Turner Club - 10:30 a.m. coffee,
11 a.m. meeting, noon
lunch (cash bar) at the Turner’s
club room.
Reminder: On Wednesday,
September 4, at Sam Young
Post 620, the Bronx County
Organization of The American
Legion also resumes
business. That monthly
meeting will be fi rst Wednesday
of the month, 7:30 p.m. at
Post 620, unless notifi ed otherwise.
Special event: Tuesday,
September 10 we will have
the annual Department Commander’s
downstate visitation.
He will be accompanied
by his staff and the Auxiliary
President and SAL Detachment
of NY Commander.
Takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at
Morris Yacht Club, 25 City Island
Avenue (at the end on the
right). Reasonable price, see
your commander or adjutant
to arrange for a table or two.
Let’s show upstate ‘Da Bronx’
is alive and well and always
supporting our cause.
Of course we will Never
Forget September 11th!
Gather at the FDNY house
at East Tremont Avenue, as
usual, for the annual evening
ceremony.
Special event: There will
also be a 10 a.m. Mass in
memory of the 9/11/01 sneak
attack victims from our area
at St. Frances de Chantal
Church, on Sunday the 15th,
followed by a procession
to the Redwood Club for a
wreath ceremony.
Until next time: The reason
we have 17,000 pages in
law books is because we can’t
seem to follow 10 lines carved
on a stone....
/www.astorser-vices.org
/www.astorser-vices.org
/www.astorser-vices.org
