According to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH), 1 in 5 Mississippi youth ages 13 to 18 will experience a severe mental disorder at some point in their life. Teens can take on a lot of stress, some of which can negatively impact their mental health. Things like puberty, peer pressure, sexuality, and personal identity can be difficult to manage without accurate information or resources.
That’s why we’re here–to connect teens to evidence-based health information they can use to navigate life. For National Suicide Prevention Month, we’ve updated our list of preventative resources anyone can use to manage their mental health or help a friend or loved one who might be struggling with depression. Feel free to bookmark, share, and save this post to use on a rainy day–and remember:
Never be afraid or ashamed to seek or ask for help!
Must-Reads from FNF
- Making the Most of Mental Health Month
- The Importance of Everyday Stress Awareness
- Follow These Tips to Avoid Back-to-School Roller Coaster Mind
Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This national helpline provides 24/7 access to trained counselors for help. Counselors are based in Mississippi and can connect you to local resources in your area. You can even access online chat options by visiting 988lifeline.org.
Call or Text: 988
Extensions:
Ext. 1 – Veterans
Ext. 2 – Spanish
Ext. 3 – LGBTQ+
To Write Love On Her Arms
Crisis Text Line: Text TWLOHA to 741741
FIND HELP Online Tool
TWLOHA is not a 24-hour helpline, nor are they trained mental health professionals. TWLOHA hopes to serve as a bridge to help.
The Trevor Project
Call: 866-488-7386
TrevorText: Text START to 678-678
TrevorChat: Online IM with a counselor
National Child Abuse Hotline
Call or Text: 800-422-4453
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 800-799-7233
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Call: 800-656-4673
If you are dealing with an emergency or if you are worried that you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, please call your local authorities (911).
How to Help a Friend
Check out this guide, based on the 5 Action Steps method created by #BeThe1To and its partners, for actions to take if you or someone you know may be suicidal.
#BeThe1To is a project created by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (the Action Alliance) and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (the Lifeline) which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health.
- Ask
The Lifeline suggests asking about suicide in a specific way, like asking “Are you thinking about suicide?”. Posing the question in this way lets them know that you aren’t being judgmental. It’s also important to remember to really listen to what the person tells you, and to not assume that you know the best way to handle the situation.
“Listening to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, as well as listening for any potential reasons they want to continue to stay alive, are both incredibly important when they are telling you what’s going on. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.”
- Keep Them Safe
After initiating the conversation, it’s important to figure out if the person is okay and to establish immediate safety. Talk to them about the extent to which they have thought about suicide in order to assess the danger that the person is in and figure out the best way for you to help.
The Lifeline also emphasizes the importance of asking the person if they have thought about how they would commit suicide, so that you can determine whether or not they have the means to do so.
- Be There
Being supportive is essential. Let the person know that they have a support system behind them. Remember that support can look different depending on what the person needs, but that staying connected and attentive are key to decreasing feelings of isolation and de-escalating thoughts of suicide.
- Help Them Connect
It’s important to remember in situations like these that you are NOT a mental health professional. It’s not your job to fix them; you can’t put that much pressure on yourself. Your job is to help them find the resources they need to get better. Let them know there are resources out there like the crisis lines listed above that can give them support, counseling, and a safety net if they need it. Getting them in touch with a mental health professional is also extremely beneficial.
- Follow Up
After connecting the person to a mental health professional, remember to check up on them every once in a while. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call to see how they’re doing. This ongoing support helps the person continue to feel connected and can further reduce the risk of suicide.
Learn more about each step here.
