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GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY JUNE 2016 39 Know the signs Changes in appetite weight sleep or mood A sense of hopelessness helplessness feelings of guilt or worthlessness Persistent sadness and withdrawal from friends family andor activities Irritability restlessness agitation loss of energy and difficulty concentrating Risky behaviors including self-injury running away substance abuse and sexual promiscuity Take these steps Offer help and support Listenwithoutlecturinginvitethemtoplananintervention with you Validate feelings Avoid pushing and asking too many questions but trust your instincts If the situation seems serious seek professional help Get help. If the situation is not life-threatening encourage your teen to talk to a mental health professional and offer to go along for support. If the situation is life-threatening call 911 or a crisis help line or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not leave your teen alone until help is available. Take away anything that could be harmful. Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number in your cell phone 1-800-273- TALK 8255. Its available 247. Talking openly about it is the first step to getting help. It also provides an opportunity to talk with your teen about how to stay mentally well and how to watch for signs of depression in their friends. CONVERSATION 3 KNOW THE RIGHT THINGS TO SAY WHEN A TEEN IS STRUGGLING Lets be honest all of us probably say the wrong thing sometimes. Making these simple changes in the words you use can make your teen feel that you understand and care. Teens just want to feel supported accepted and loved. RESOURCES HELP LINE National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 A24-hourcrisishotlinethatwillhelpyouconnect withmentalhealthresourcesinyourarea. WEBSITES Here ForTexas A searchable database of mental health providers organizations resources and information related to youth mental health in NorthTexas.HereForTexas.com The Grant Halliburton Foundation More information on teen mental health peer support groups for parents and resources. GrantHalliburton.com Okay to Say A community-based movement initiated by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to increase public awareness about how mental healthissuesaffectus. okaytosay.org National Institute of Mental Health nimh.nih.gov National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI.org BOOKS TheFiveLoveLanguagesofTeens by Gary Chapman HowtoTalkSoKidsWillListenandListenSoKids WillTalk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish DEPRESSION WHAT HURTS Its all in your head. We all go through times like this. You have so much to live forwhy do you want to die What do you want me to do I cant change your situation. Just snap out of it. Look on the bright side. Youll be fine. Stop worrying. Heres my advice WHAT HELPS I know you have a real illness and thats what causes these thoughts and feelings. I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel but I care about you and want to help. You are important to me.Your life is important to me. Tell me what I can do now to help you. You might not believe it now but the way youre feeling will change. You are not alone in this. Im here for you. Talk to me. Im listening. These are the first steps toward opening lines of communication with your teenager. Every teen is different but parents can help guide them by establishing open honest and caring communication. The more effort and practice you put into it the more instinctive and spontaneous your communication skills will become. Resources www.DBSAlliance.org Editors Note Sierra Sanchez is the Senior Program Coordinator at Grant Halliburton Foundation a Dallas nonprofit organization committed to teen and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. See page 7 for her bio or go to granthalliburton.com