Did you know?
- Youth with significant symptoms of depression are 2 times more likely to drop out of school
- The 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-34 is suicide
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual teens are 4 times more likely to die by suicide than non-LGBT+ youth
- 75% of individuals who die by suicide are males
- 90% of people who died by suicide had exhibited signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
Maybe you have a young person in your life who is depressed, part of the lesbian, gay or bisexual community and/or who is a male. If so, you are probably wondering what you can do to help them to feel supported and loved.
First, start by letting them know that it is OK to talk about their feelings, even if they are feeling embarrassed or vulnerable in doing so. Let them know that they are truly not alone in their thoughts and feelings and then follow through on that promise by actually being there for them.
Check in on them often by calling or sending them a message to remind them they are not alone and have your support regardless of what they are going through. Reassure them that they are important and needed. Help them to realize their importance and potential by sharing with them what you love about them.
Remember, being supportive does not mean you have to fix their issues but simply listen with intent and provide reassurance for them. You may be the only person in their life that helps to decrease their chances of becoming a statistic.
Be supportive. Be trustworthy. Be consistent. Be present.
If their needs go beyond what you can handle as a supportive person, helping them get connected to an experienced therapist an make a huge difference.
*Resource- National Alliance on Mental Illness, https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-by-the-numbers
Amanda Brown is an LCSW who graduated from the University of Georgia School of Social Work. She is passionate about working with teens and their families to help them move through a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues.