Each year, one in 15 high school students will report a suicide attempt. For every report, 53 of these will cause serious enough injury to warrant medical attention. This staggering data may seem like numbers on a page when viewed in reports or even here on this blog. However, it is much more than that.
These are not numbers but children—some in our community, maybe even you reading this—who are in critical need of our support. National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 9-14, 2024) is one movement bringing this important issue to light, and Landmarks for Families is ready to provide the support these children need.
The Truth About Youth Suicide in America
Did you know suicide is the third leading cause of death for American youths between the ages of 14 and 18?
These rates are often higher for those affected by the child welfare and juvenile corrections system, the LGBTQ+ community, those of Native American and Alaskan Native heritage, and youth military service members.
Increased risk factors also include substance abuse problems, stressful life events, family history of mental health concerns and incidents of family violence (physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse), to name a few.
Landmarks For Families is Ready to Help
Landmarks for Families supports South Carolina’s youth and families through life’s trials and transitions, acting as a place where children can recover from trauma and abuse, find support for mental health, and prepare for a more hopeful future.
We believe in the importance of meeting clients where they are through on-campus and in-home programs and resources, including our L.Y.G.H.T. Program.
L.Y.G.H.T. – Peer Grief Support Group
The Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope and Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.) program supports, honors and listens to grieving youth in foster care. This grief-informed and trauma-informed intervention is facilitated by supportive adults who acknowledge the challenges and transitions youth experience while navigating the foster care system. L.Y.G.H.T. groups are a safe space for community, connection and relatedness among youth whom the foster care system has touched.
L.Y.G.H.T. groups are held in North Charleston and Berkeley County for young adults ages 17 to 23 and teens ages 12 to 16. To learn more about this program or become a L.Y.G.H.T. facilitator, please visit our program page.
How to Show Support | How to Find Support
Support efforts are most effective when our entire community joins forces. You can play a pivotal role in helping someone during this critical time. Begin by understanding the potential signs of suicidal thoughts. The most common include the following, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine:
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family members
- Acting out and running away
- Alcohol or drug use
- Neglecting their personal appearance
- Unnecessary risk-taking
- Obsession with death and dying
Included among these are more over signs, such as writing a “goodbye” note or making mention of wanting to commit suicide. View this full list of warning signs here.
If you notice someone might be struggling, you can show support by being open, honest and compassionate.
Communicate your concerns by:
- Sharing the potential changes you have noticed.
- Letting them know you care about them.
- Asking how you can help them (if you are an adult).
- Helping them share these feelings with a trusted adult (if you are a fellow teen/youth).
Another useful resource for navigating these concerns is the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention.
Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), this strategy was “designed to support pediatric health clinicians in advancing equitable youth suicide prevention strategies in all settings where youth live, learn work and spend time.”
If you are living with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your community. Asking for help can be difficult, but just know there is a safe space available to express these challenges and where you are loved.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline) is a resource for sharing these conversations with trusted grief professionals in a confidential setting. Call or text 988 or visit the official website to begin a chat in a judgment-free space.
Landmarks for Families Is Here for You
With more than 230 years of experience supporting our nation’s children and families, Landmarks for Families is equipped to lead your child or family through life’s challenges. Whether on-site or in-home, our compassionate team is ready to meet you where you are with the services you need. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and speak with a member of our team.
