Smoke Signals: How Children of Smokers Are Affected Without Lighting Up
When we talk about smoking and its dangers, our minds often go to lung cancer, heart disease, or secondhand smoke. But what’s often overlooked is how deeply smoking affects children—not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically, too. Even if they never light a cigarette themselves, kids growing up in homes with smokers often carry invisible scars into adulthood. These aren’t just the result of exposure to smoke in the air, but patterns and messages passed down over time. More Than Secondhand Smoke We’ve all heard of secondhand smoke and the health risks it carries. It increases the likelihood of respiratory infections, asthma, and even ear problems in children. But what happens when the smoke clears? What lingers isn’t just the scent of tobacco—it’s the emotional climate and learned behaviors that shape how a child sees health, stress, and coping. Children are incredibly observant. If they see a parent reach for a cigarette every time they’re angry, anxious, or overwhelmed, they internalize that behavior. It becomes a model for how to handle life’s hard moments. The message is subtle but powerful: when life gets tough, you light up. Inherited Behavior Patterns: It’s Not Just in the Genes Genetics do play a role in addiction, but behavior and environment are just as influential—sometimes even more so. Children of smokers are statistically more likely to smoke themselves. That’s not necessarily because of a genetic predisposition, but because of what they’ve learned and been exposed to. Some inherited patterns might include: Psychological Impacts of Growing Up Around Smokers Children of smokers often report higher levels of stress and emotional turmoil—even when the topic of smoking isn’t openly discussed. That’s because addiction, even when functioning, creates instability. There’s the unpredictability of mood swings, withdrawal irritability, or financial strain. All of these create an atmosphere that’s difficult for a child to understand, but impossible for them to ignore. They may also develop heightened anxiety or feelings of powerlessness—especially if they’re aware that smoking is harmful and want their parent to stop, but feel unable to change the situation. In some cases, children blame themselves for their parent’s habits or the stress within the household, which can fuel guilt, low self-esteem, or even depression. Breaking the Cycle: What Can Be Done? The good news is that cycles can be broken. Awareness is a powerful first step. Support systems are also key. Therapy, support groups, or even educational workshops can provide a space to heal and rewire family dynamics. Remember, you don’t have to wait until something is “broken” to fix it. Preventative care—emotional and physical—makes a world of difference. A Silent Legacy That Doesn’t Have to Continue The influence of smoking reaches far beyond the smoker. It drifts into the emotional development of children, the choices they make, and the way they view the world. But just as behaviors are learned, they can also be unlearned. Understanding how children are affected by smoking—without ever lighting up—is the first step toward rewriting the story. It’s not about guilt or blame. It’s about recognizing the ripple effects and choosing to change the tide. If you’re a parent who smokes, your journey toward better health isn’t just about you. It’s a gift of stability, clarity, and emotional safety that your children will carry long after the smoke has cleared.
Can TMS Therapy Help Break Addictive Thought Patterns? A Look at Depression and Habit Loops
Addiction and depression often go hand in hand, reinforcing each other in a cycle that feels impossible to escape. Negative thought patterns, emotional distress, and compulsive behaviors create habit loops that trap individuals in destructive cycles. Traditional treatments like therapy and medication can help, but for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression or addiction-related thought patterns, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a promising alternative. Understanding Habit Loops in Depression and Addiction The brain is wired to seek relief from discomfort. In individuals with depression, negative thoughts and emotions become habitual, leading to behaviors that temporarily numb distress—whether through substance use, compulsive eating, or other addictive behaviors. These behaviors provide short-term relief but ultimately reinforce the cycle of addiction and emotional pain. A habit loop consists of: Over time, these loops become deeply ingrained, making it difficult to change behavior through willpower alone. This is where TMS therapy may help. How TMS Disrupts Negative Thought Patterns TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that targets the prefrontal cortex—an area responsible for mood regulation, impulse control, and decision-making. By delivering pulsed magnetic fields, TMS helps reset neural activity, potentially breaking the automatic loops that drive depression and addiction. Rewiring the Brain’s Reward System Chronic depression and addiction weaken the brain’s ability to experience pleasure and motivation due to dopamine dysfunction. TMS has been shown to enhance dopamine release and improve connectivity in the reward pathways, helping individuals regain a sense of motivation and reducing the drive for unhealthy coping mechanisms. Enhancing Cognitive Control Over Cravings The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in impulse control, but in those struggling with addiction or depression, this region often shows reduced activity. TMS can strengthen neural connections, improving self-regulation and making it easier to resist urges that previously felt automatic. Reducing Rumination and Negative Thinking Depression fuels persistent negative thought loops, which often contribute to addictive behaviors as a form of escape. TMS can help disrupt these repetitive patterns, making space for healthier thought processes and behaviors. The Connection Between Depression Treatment and Addiction Recovery While TMS is not a standalone addiction treatment, treating depression can significantly impact addictive behaviors. Many individuals use substances or unhealthy habits to self-medicate their depressive symptoms. By alleviating depression, TMS can reduce the need for these coping mechanisms, helping individuals engage more effectively in therapy and lifestyle changes. Who Might Benefit from TMS? TMS may be beneficial for individuals who: Final Thoughts TMS therapy offers a unique way to disrupt the habit loops that sustain depression and addiction. By stimulating brain regions involved in mood regulation, impulse control, and reward processing, TMS helps individuals regain control over their thoughts and behaviors. While not a cure for addiction, it can serve as a valuable tool in breaking the cycle, making it easier to engage in therapy, develop healthier coping strategies, and move toward long-term recovery. For those feeling trapped in repetitive patterns of depression and addiction, TMS provides hope—a way to reset the brain and open the door to lasting change.
Hagan Health and “24 Reasons”: Breaking the Stigma around Mental Health
Hagan Health is dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and advocacy, especially for youth. We proudly partner with “24 Reasons,” a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Trey Moses, who created this organization in memory of his friend and teammate, Zach. After Zach’s tragic death by suicide, Trey continued his career wearing Zach’s number, 24, as a tribute to him and as a commitment to help young athletes face mental health challenges without shame. Through “24 Reasons,” Trey aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages open discussion, especially among student-athletes. Our collaboration with “24 Reasons” led to the “Be the Reason” Celebrity Basketball Game, held on June 20, 2024. This inspiring event gathered athletes, community leaders, and mental health advocates to honor individuals who may struggle in silence. The “Be the Reason” game served as more than just a sporting event; it was a rallying call to action, using sports as a platform to reach young athletes and the community with a powerful message of empathy, support, and resilience. By engaging well-known athletes and leaders, the event encouraged youth to prioritize their mental wellness, seek support, and feel empowered to talk about their mental health. Be the Reason: Impacting Lives Through Advocacy The “Be the Reason” game promoted the idea that each of us can “be the reason” someone feels supported, understood, and less alone. For both participants and fans, this event was a chance to make a difference in someone’s mental health journey. Together, Hagan Health and “24 Reasons” aim to inspire young people to openly discuss mental health and seek help without fear. Standing with Trey Moses and “24 Reasons,” Hagan Health is honored to be part of the movement to end mental health stigma and to support mental health advocacy. A Unified Commitment to Youth Mental Health At Hagan Health, we recognize the importance of community engagement, particularly in reaching student-athletes and young people. Our partnership with “24 Reasons” underscores our commitment to youth mental health and exemplifies our belief in fostering change through awareness initiatives. Raising mental health awareness in youth is essential for creating a more compassionate and supportive society. Many young people face mental health challenges but may hesitate to seek help due to stigma or fear of judgment. By normalizing mental health conversations and promoting acceptance, we can encourage young people to seek support early, which is vital for healthier, more resilient individuals. Building this kind of supportive culture allows youth to feel secure and empowered to ask for help, breaking down barriers of stigma and leading to more open communication and understanding. Together, we are working toward a community that supports healing and growth through advocacy and awareness. Take the First Step Towards Better Mental Health If you or someone you know is ready to begin a journey toward mental wellness, Hagan Health is here to support you. Our team, advanced treatments, and compassionate approach create an environment where you can feel empowered every step of the way. At Hagan Health, we are committed to improving mental health outcomes and to being part of the movement to end mental health stigma—because together, we can be the reason someone finds hope and healing. Reach out to us to take the first step toward mental wellness.
Fighting the Hidden Battle: Self-Stigma and Its Impact on Young People
Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize negative beliefs about themselves, often due to societal stigma around mental health or personal struggles. For young people, these beliefs can feel like a quiet, relentless voice whispering, “You’re not good enough,” or “Your struggles define you.” During their formative years, when they’re still figuring out who they are, self-stigma can undermine self-esteem, damage relationships, and erode mental well-being. Over time, these internalized beliefs can shape a young person’s self-worth, leaving lasting emotional scars and, in severe cases, leading to thoughts of self-harm or suicide What is Self-Stigma? Self-stigma develops when individuals accept negative societal stereotypes and apply them to themselves. For example, messages that suggest mental health issues are signs of weakness or that disabilities limit a person’s potential can make young people view these judgments as facts. Adolescents and young adults are highly sensitive to external opinions, and absorbing such beliefs can damage their self-worth. How Young People Internalize Negative Beliefs Young people are constantly influenced by family, peers, social media, and cultural norms, which shape their perceptions of themselves. Some key ways they internalize negative beliefs include: Social Media and Comparison Culture: Social media, while offering a platform for self-expression, often promotes unrealistic standards. Constant exposure to idealized images and lives can make young people feel they don’t measure up, leading to feelings of inadequacy. Peer Pressure and Conformity: Young people often feel the need to fit in with peers. If mental health issues are stigmatized within a friend group, a young person may feel compelled to hide their struggles to avoid judgment. Family and Cultural Beliefs: Family and cultural views on mental health can strongly influence self-stigma. In families or communities where mental health issues are seen as personal failings, young people may internalize these views, believing they’re weak for struggling. Media Representations: Negative portrayals of mental health conditions or disabilities in media can reinforce harmful stereotypes, making it difficult for young people to feel accepted. The Impact of Self-Stigma on Mental Health Self-stigma has severe effects on mental health, often contributing to anxiety, depression, and, in some cases, developing suicidal tendencies. When young people internalize negative beliefs, they may feel trapped by self-judgment, shame, and isolation. This can lead to: Low Self-Esteem: Constantly viewing themselves through a negative lens diminishes self-worth. Increased Depression and Anxiety: Internalized stigma can exacerbate depression and anxiety symptoms, making these conditions harder to manage. Suicidal Ideation: For some young people, these intense feelings of shame and worthlessness can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide, as they feel isolated and unable to seek support. Breaking the Cycle of Self-Stigma Addressing self-stigma is essential to protect young people’s mental health. Here are some ways to help them break free from these negative beliefs: a) Encourage Self-Compassion: Teaching young people to treat themselves kindly can counteract negative beliefs. Remind them that struggles are normal and don’t define their worth. b) Challenge Negative Beliefs: Help young people question internalized judgments and replace them with positive affirmations. c) Open Conversations About Mental Health: Promoting discussions on mental health can normalize these experiences and reduce stigma, encouraging young people to seek help. d) Positive Media Influence: Exposing young people to positive representations of mental health and diversity in media can help counter harmful stereotypes. Final Thoughts Understanding self-stigma and its effects on young people is vital for supporting their mental health. By fostering compassion and open dialogue, we can help young individuals reject self-stigmatizing beliefs, seek support, and build resilience against the risk of depression and suicidal ideation. Addressing self-stigma early can be life-saving, empowering young people to embrace their challenges and prioritize their well-being. What is Self-Stigma? Facebook Instagram
Autism Spectrum Disorder
What it Means and Next Steps What are the symptoms of autism in adults? As children with autism mature into adults, some symptoms may get better, and others may get worse. The stresses associated with paying bills, starting a family, and holding a job can impact ASD symptoms in adulthood. Common adult autism symptoms include: On a more personal level, adults with ASD may: Testing for autism might include: To be officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, someone must have symptoms in two categories: For more information about ASD please visit: https://abilitycentral.org/article/autism-spectrum-disorder-fact-sheet
Neuro Emotional Technique: Healing From Within
Neuro Emotional Technique: Healing From Within Have you ever felt a sudden surge of energy in a grocery store, surrounded only by canned goods? Or found yourself on the verge of tears while looking at a particular piece of clothing? These are moments of what we call “mixed emotions”! (cue Joy from Inside Out). But are they truly mixed emotions? It varies. Sometimes, these feelings are about one specific thing or event. Other times, they stem from unresolved trauma—whether from a direct experience, witnessing something impactful, or our body perceiving a crisis. Often, we push these feelings aside, but they don’t disappear; they linger within us, influencing our self-perception and manifesting as anxiety, depression, negative thoughts, etc. Reflecting on my own therapy journey, I recall sitting on my therapist’s couch, eager to learn new ways to heal from past traumas. She once shared a revelation that profoundly impacted me, shaping my own healing and the approach I use to help my clients. Though it seemed odd at first, as I continued to use it, it gave me positive, lasting effects on my mental health. Here is where we introduce Neuro Emotional Technique (NET). It emphasizes that “issues are hidden in the tissues,” meaning our organs and tissues store the messages we tell ourselves. These thoughts resurface during experiences even remotely similar, aiming to protect us but often causing harm and pain. NET integrates talk therapy, chiropractic techniques, and acupressure on pulse meridian access points (MAPs), associated with our body’s organs. This approach helps release specific emotions and replaces old, harmful narratives with new, empowering ones. Now, this doesn’t mean the change will happen quickly. As I remind my clients, “Healing is not a sprint, it is a marathon that probably also has muddle puddles, a fiery hoop you have to jump through, and all the while you really have to go to the bathroom.” There are challenges to the healing, including ones that are happening more internally rather than externally. But NET does begin to bring relief after several sessions. I have seen the changes in clients that have used this, both externally and when they speak of their own thought patterns, but I don’t want to speak for them. Here is what a few clients have had to say: “I really have enjoyed NET because I feel like it fits my journey the best. I feel like NET therapy will help me continue my journey to self-awareness.” “At first, I was very skeptical, but I am thankful I kept an open mind. Sometimes words are hard for me to come up with, and NET’s guidance has really helped me so much. You’d be surprised what NET can help you uncover that you had no clue your body was holding onto or the depth that it was. Digging deep and finding these has definitely helped me piece together things that weren’t clear before. With CPTSD, it has brought up many things I have forgotten about or pushed down. I always feel a little more peace after sessions. As a result, I am seeing many positive changes in my relationships. It has been a great resource to help both of us figure out what else I need in my healing journey.” “It helps me feel lighter, like inside after using it I feel lighter, and able to feel a sense of understanding and comfort within myself. It’s so cool how this works.” NET can surface painful and emotional experiences from the past, but also can bring a world of opportunity to your healing journey. Interested in the process? Want to know what it looks like? Please reach out to make an appointment today with Sarah Akers, NET Basic Trained, Marriage and Family Therapy Associate. As NET says, “Our issues lie in our tissues”, we are only a few steps away from letting those issues free. Facebook Instagram
The Happiest Time of the Year?
The Happiest Time of Year? The end of a calendar year and beginning of a new one is often revered as a happy time when individuals and families can spend time together under the lens of a holiday season. However, through my work I have realized that this is not the case for every person. It is during this time of the year I tend to make myself more available for my clients—I might extend my hours and allow more flexible boundaries on communication, as I have learned my clients tend to need more support now than during other times of the year. Why is this? My biggest concern is usually that people tend to be reminded of the grief they carry with them throughout their lifetime during the final months of the year and into the new which can normally be characterized as a time for celebration. A person can more frequently be confronted with the grief they feel as a reminder of loss. These moments tend to go hand in hand with happy moments, making these times bittersweet. Simply put, as much as the holiday season can bring cheer and hope, it is also a time for reflection for many people—a kind of reminder of things or people that they may have been lost. Much of the work that I do could be characterized as grief work, and I have found that grief is often one of the greatest consequences of love enduring. I speak about love and grief in my sessions as if they work hand in hand, which I have come to find out is true. Much like love, grief can resemble a box or backpack that each person will carry during their lifetime. Grief often occurs due to a loss—loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a friendship, or even loss of a family pet. Grief looks different to every person and can be experienced and characterized by many unique features. It is often explained by five stages, which can be felt in unique ways for each person. One can move through each stage, remain stuck, or cycle through stages depending on the level of grief felt, time of year, etc. These stages include denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. In my experience, it is normal for people who live in a state of acceptance to periodically experience the other stages of grief at moments like the end of the year for various reasons. While this is normal, it does not make this time of year easier to swallow for some, and can often lead to feelings of anxiety, resentment, fear, and loneliness. For many people, the feeling of grief never fully goes away, but can be managed through self introspection, talking about grief feelings with support systems, sitting with grief feelings, and/or acceptance and tolerance of life events that cannot be controlled. As we start the new year, coming out of the holiday season, if you or someone you know experience the pain of grief or maybe you feel it with you every day, it is okay to embrace the idea that you are not alone. There are many people who walk with feelings of hopelessness and grief every day, but perhaps love existed where grief may have taken occupancy. We learn to grow around around feelings of grief, even if those feelings can’t or wont completely disappear. Acceptance and tolerance of the things we cant control can be a helpful goal to work towards, which is a journey that can be started by reaching out and connecting with one’s vulnerable side—what can be quite a daunting task. It is okay to talk about your grief – be open with it and learn from it. It is normal to cycle and it is normal to feel heavy around this time of year. You are not alone, and you are not wrong for feeling this way during the “Happiest Time of the Year”. There are many reasons to use this time as a means to process the hard feelings we bottle up throughout the year, but if that is not possible and you need time to rest, it’s okay. Being kind to yourself looks different for everyone, and I hope you get the chance to be kind to yourself when things are more difficult in your life. Also, if no one told you this yet, let me be the first – I hope your holiday season was spent with people or memories that feel important to you, and most importantly, I hope that every holiday season passes you gently. Facebook Instagram
What You Can Learn From Your Terrible Boss
What You Can Learn From Your Terrible Boss Who’s the best boss you ever had, the person you loved working for the most? What qualities did they have that made you want to work for them? I ask this question a lot in my therapy practice. A lot of times I get surprised or confused looks from my clients when I bring this up. To be fair, it’s a pretty weird question for a therapy session, and I usually ask it when my clients and I aren’t talking about anything even close to work. Something that comes up in therapy very frequently is the idea of motivation. I hear the phrase, “I have no motivation to do anything” from nearly every client I have ever seen. And I completely get it— as someone who has struggled off and on with depression and untreated ADHD for most of my life, I am very familiar with that feeling of, “I want to do it, I know I should do it, I would feel better after doing it, I just can’t.” Not only is it a difficult feeling to cope with, but it’s also hard to treat in therapy. I’ve tried multiple approaches when it comes to treating lack of motivation. Creating incrementally small goals for yourself and building on them can be helpful. Changing the way we think about motivation works pretty well: replacing the idea that motivation creates action with the idea that action must come first and motivation follows. But there is one approach I’ve found that helps clients really grasp the abstract process of building motivation. This is where the good boss question comes in. I’ve heard a lot of answers to these questions. Some people say they loved the boss who didn’t micromanage them—they trusted their employees to be competent and reliable, rather than hovering over them critiquing every single thing. Others say they like the boss who took the time to get to know them and didn’t place more emphasis on productivity than employee happiness. Another client said that they had a boss who just brought positive and uplifting energy to the workplace. Once my clients have answered this question, I ask them the natural follow-up question: who was the worst boss you ever had? And let me tell you, people have some crazy stories. But for the most part, I hear things like, “They always nitpicked every small mistake I made,” or, “They refused to work with me if I had a family emergency or got sick.” A lack of communication was also a big problem for many clients. The next question I ask is, “How did each of these bosses respond when you made a mistake?” The answers to these questions are pretty unanimous among my clients. They say that the bad bosses would become angry, threaten disciplinary action, and/or belittle the employee. On the other hand, the good bosses would take the time to explore the issue with the employee to identify what could be done better, but they did not dwell on the fact that the employee messed up— they provided reassurance and encouragement so that the employee felt empowered to improve. The final question I ask is simple: which boss did you work harder for? 100% of the time, the answer is the good boss. At this point, a lot of clients know where I’m going with this, but I spell it out anyway. When you are struggling to complete basic tasks because you lack motivation, what are you saying to yourself about it? People have the tendency to be pretty vicious with themselves. Most of my clients (and, if I’m honest, me) speak to themselves in a way that we would never speak to another human being. If you are internally beating the crap out of yourself, why do you think that will create positive change? If you can’t bring yourself to unload the dishwasher before you go to bed, and you say to yourself, “What is wrong with me, this isn’t that big of a task and I still can’t do it. I’m a lazy piece of ****,” do you really believe that will help you get the task done? The answer is no: You are chipping away at your self-esteem bit by bit. And as you do that, you sink deeper and deeper into the hole. If you were to replace that thinking by saying, “I wasn’t able to empty the dishwasher like I wanted to, and that’s disappointing. But tomorrow is a new day, and I will put one foot in front of the other and get it done, even if it takes a little longer than usual,” what effect do you think that would have? This way of thinking doesn’t let you off the hook for emptying the dishwasher—you are simply treating yourself as you would (hopefully) treat someone else in the same situation. Being a little kinder to yourself costs nothing and takes a few seconds at most. And of all the techniques I have used to battle the lack of motivation in clients, this has been, by far, the most effective. You are the boss of yourself—you can decide whether to be a good boss or a bad boss. While becoming a good boss for yourself may take a lot of practice, the payoff is worth it. Facebook Instagram
When the Sun Goes Down
When the Sun Goes Down I’m Ashley, and I am the TMS coordinator and treatment facilitator for Hagan Health. I have worked in the mental health field for 6 years now and started in this field because of my own life experiences. I have worked in crisis management, peer support, administration, and leadership before moving to TMS. I feel it is my purpose to be of service to others who struggle with mental health issues and addiction. With the recent time change, colder weather, and gray skies, seasonal depression can affect many people. I am here to share my experience. I have struggled with increased depression during the winter months for many years, and it has been easy for me to isolate and find myself dwelling in self pity. My depression usually starts when the time changes and it becomes dark at 5:30pm. I go to work and leave work when it is dark, and I slowly start to go to bed earlier because of the loss of daylight. I also dislike the cold weather, so I will keep to myself and not leave my house except to go to work. I know that I am not alone in this, so I’d like to share how I cope when the season is coming. Every morning, I will say or write down a few things I am grateful for. It could be that I am grateful for my morning coffee or that I am able to work and make money to support my family. Being grateful allows me to remain humble and reminds me that depression can make things seem a lot worse than they are. I know that sometimes it is difficult to get out of the negative thinking, but you can create things to be grateful for. It can be something small that you enjoy like eating your favorite cereal or getting your favorite treat to make your day a little better. I also make plans once a week that get me out of the house–for example, go visit my family, go out to eat with friends, or go see a movie with my husband. Another thing that I like to do is create a hobby that I enjoy doing ahead of the winter. That may be doing a project at my house that I have been putting off like scrapbooking or home improvement. I also like to read self-help books or reach out to my support group and ask for help if I’m having a bad day. Self care during the winter months is really important and mindfully doing things to make you feel better makes a huge difference. Seasonal depression can make you feel helpless or hopeless–but, if we can work on the things that are in our control, it can help to ease the burden. And remember: there is no shame in asking for help! Life can be tough, but you do not have to go through it alone. If you would like to get started with treating depression, give us a call at 502-326-3011! Facebook Instagram
Eight-Hundred Thousand Hollow Voices
Eight-Hundred Thousand Voices One of the scariest experiences in the lives of parents and adolescents is the thought of dying, whether that be by accident or through intentional means. However, the conversation of death and dying is one of the most important discussions a family can have, as accidental deaths and suicide are among the leading causes of death for adolescents and teens. While conversations on this topic can be anxiety inducing, truly they save lives and educate future generations about the impact of their collective thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, this teaches future generations that their thoughts, feelings, and actions matter and are valid. This in turn can create a safety net of compassion, positive communication, and healthy relationship dynamics that can be built upon for a lifetime. Conversations on suicide and suicidal ideation do not have to be scary. Suicide is not a “dirty” word to be discouraged from use. Experiencing suicidal ideation does not have to be a shameful experience, if families leave the door open for honest, validating conversations regarding death and dying. While much could be said about this topic, the focus for this piece will regard suicide risk factors, and effective tools to help combat teen and adolescent suicide. Armed with this knowledge, the fear of the unknown does not have to exist with the same venomous strike as it has previously due to stigmatization through harmful messages from media, society, and within dynamics of friendships and families. Verbiage Matters There are many harmful stereotypes when it comes to discussing teen and adolescent suicide. One common misconception is that discussing suicide can increase risk related to engagement with suicidal ideation. In truth, talking about dying by suicide increases awareness surrounding the topic, making it easier for a teen to access resources and other forms of help. Positive conversations around this topic can increase the likelihood that your teen or adolescent will disclose possible suicidal thoughts, intents or plans with family members, friends, or other individuals they feel are safe. When discussing suicide, it is important to avoid the term “Committed suicide”. Typically, this is laden with a negative association (i.e. committed a robbery, committed murder etc.). Suicide is often associated with shame and guilt, which can decrease teen or adolescent desire to disclose suicidal ideation or intent to die. Some terms to try instead: Die or death by suicide, suicide, or suicidal ideation. Important Statistics and Risk Factors Why is this topic so important? 800,000 people worldwide end their lives by suicide in a given year In 2015, on average a person died by suicide every 20 seconds Suicide attempts typically occur more frequently, averaging around 10-20 times more often than deaths related to suicide * Globally, death by suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-29 Helpful Tools for Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Protective factors are important to the process of reducing risk factors associated with teen and adolescent suicide. They can also increase the likelihood of the teen or adolescent finding appropriate help. Some of these may include: Talking With Your Teen or Adolescent: Talking with your teen can increase the likelihood your teen will disclose when they are in need of help. Creating a validating space for your teen to discuss any life event can increase trust and a sense of well-being. Encouraging Family bonding moments can also be an incredible tool in fostering an environment that promotes healthy communication in a family. Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Encouraging healthier habits such as a balanced diet, and exercise routines can reduce stress and anxiety, which can be triggers for suicidal ideation. Consult a Psychiatrist or a Therapist/other Health Professional to Address Health Needs: Suicidal Ideation can be exasperated by untreated mental health related difficulties. It is important to address mental health needs, so as to reduce the chance of exasperating any symptoms the teen or adolescent may be experiencing. Professionals also have assessment tools that can identify level of severity for an individual who may be experiencing suicidal ideation, to better identify solutions for the teen or individual in need. Supporting treatment plans created by professionals can increase adherence to plans that can help your teen thrive. Reduce or Secure Safety Measures for Access to Firearms and Other Tools: If your teen or adolescent has expressed suicidal ideation, or has endorsed that they are currently experiencing suicidal ideation, it is important to limit access to firearms or other tools (medications, alcohol etc.) that could cause lethal harm. This could also be included in a safety plan created by a therapist or other mental health professional assisting your teen/adolescent. Reasonable Monitoring of Social Media Usage and Remaining Aware: If your teen or adolescent has experienced or is currently experiencing suicidal ideation, it is likely they have already begun showing signs that they are feeling this way. Be aware of the signs or changes in mood or expression of feelings, and treat them as accurate and valid. It can be harmful to assume your teen is expressing suicidal ideation for attention, and can increase the likelihood of them hurting themselves as a result. Social media can also be an outlet for a teen to express suicidal ideation, and can be associated with bullying, unrealistic body image, and peer pressure. Monitoring usage can help reduce exposure to harmful stimulus associated with risk factors for suicidal ideation. If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, please reach out! Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800 -272 – 8255 Emergency Service Line: 911 Facebook Instagram