How to support youth mental health and prevent suicide during the coronavirus pandemic

Oakland Family Services’ mental health programs have seen an alarming increase in youth suicide attempts during the coronavirus pandemic — a crisis that is also being reported by other mental health resources and hospitals across the U.S. Emergency room visits for mental health issues have skyrocketed, with children and teenagers particularly at risk.

A perfect storm is happening as children, teens and parents lose access to essential mental health and support services; youth cope with isolation; parents lose opportunities for respite; and need for crisis care rises while psychiatric wards operate at reduced capacity to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

If you suspect a teen in your life may be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, the resources below can help you decide what to do next.

From Oakland Family Services’ experts

• In “With suicide risk on the rise, children and teens need our support,” Director of Specialized Services for Youth Debbie Smith discusses the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of children and adolescents and what steps parents can take to help prevent youth suicide.

• In “Examining the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Specialized Services for Youth Outpatient Supervisor Lauren LaFleur appears on WXYZ-TV Channel 7 to speak about youth mental health and suicide risk during the pandemic.

• In “The Family Five: 5 warning signs your teenager may be depressed,” Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist Amanda Robertson shares warning signs that parents should watch for in their teens as families navigate the ongoing stress, fear and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In “Help your child open up with these books about mental health for kids and teens,” Specialized Services for Youth staff share book recommendations that can help families have conversations about and cope with issues like depression, anxiety, loss and more.

Crisis Resources

• The Common Ground crisis line is available 24/7 at 1.800.231.1127 to support individuals and families facing a variety of crises, including mental health and suicidal crisis. This is a free, confidential resource based in Pontiac that provides counseling, information and referral to local resources. You can also text Common Ground at 1.800.231.1127 or use its online chat service 24/7.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1.800.273.8255 or via online chat and provides support for individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional destress. The lifeline is free, confidential, available 24/7 and can connect you to resources in Oakland County.

Guides for Parents

• “Suicide Safety: Precautions at Home” from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry discusses how youth suicide is often an impulsive or accidental act that can occur even when the child or teen has no known history of mental illness. The page covers how to identify safety risks in your home and take precautions — like locking away guns and medications — to reduce the risk and opportunity for a suicide attempt.

• “Teens and Suicide: What Parents Should Know” from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a helpful guide to protecting teens’ and tweens’ mental health, identifying behavioral changes that can indicate depression and what to do if you suspect your teen is depressed or suicidal. This page has a very helpful, detailed section on how to talk to teens about mental health and suicide.

• HelpGuide’s “Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression” is an excellent resource that provides information on differentiating between normal teenage “growing pains” and depression, recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression in teens, suicide warning signs to watch for, how to help and communicate with a depressed teen, when to seek professional help and more.

• “Teen Suicide: What Parents Need to Know” from Mayo Clinic explains risk factors that make teens particularly vulnerable to suicide, how antidepressants might help, ways to prevent teen suicide and how to get help for your teen.

Teen Depression and Suicide In the News

• “Children’s hospitals grapple with wave of mental illness” — KHN

• “The pandemic has researchers worried about teen suicide” — Michigan Radio

• “Child psychiatrists warn that the pandemic may be driving up kids’ suicide risk” — NPR

• “‘I’ve tried everything’: Pandemic worsens child mental health crisis” — NPR

• “Unseen risk of COVID-19 and children: Anxiety, depression and suicide” — WGN9 Chicago

If your child or teen is struggling with depression or anxiety, contact Day One: A Program of Oakland Family Services at 248.858.7766 or oaklandfamilyservices.org/dayoneishere to make an online therapy appointment. If your family is in crisis and in need of more urgent intervention, call 911 or one of the crisis resources listed above.