Hello everyone –
As students get back into school oftentimes anxiety and stress can build up. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) reports: “After a period of stability from 2000 to 2007 as shown previously, the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 in the united states increased 57.4% from 6.8 per 100,000 in 2007 to 10.7 in 2018. For kiddos in the LGBTQ community: “ suicide is the second leading cause of death amount young people aged 10-24 (Hedegaard, Curtin, & Warner 2018) – and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth are at significantly increased risk. LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et all., 2019)”. According to the Trevor Project “LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society”.
However, our kids are NOT alone. If you suspect your child needs to talk to someone, please explore the Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ You can access counseling 24/7 – explore topics and resources.
From the Trevor Project:
Learning the warning signs of suicide is a huge part of preventing a crisis. Although emotional ups and downs are normal, sometimes a person who is suicidal gives certain signs or hints that something is wrong. Knowing these major warning signs can help you connect with someone you care about to support if they need it – even if that person is yourself.
Have you or someone you know felt…?
- Unimportant
- Trapped
- Hopeless
- Overwhelmed
- Unmotivated
- Alone
- Irritable
- Impulsive
- Suicidal
Do you or someone you know…?
- Not care about their future: “It won’t matter soon anyway.”
- Put themselves down – and think they deserve it: “I don’t deserve to live. I suck.”
- Express hopelessness: “Things will never get better for me.”
- Say goodbye to important people: “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. I’ll miss you.”
- Have a specific plan for suicide: “I’ve thought about how I’d do it.”
- Talk about feeling suicidal: “Life is so hard. Lately I’ve felt like ending it all.”
Have you or someone you know been…?
- Using drugs or alcohol more than usual
- Acting differently than usual
- Giving away their most valuable possessions
- Losing interest in their favorite things to do
- Admiring people who have died by suicide
- Planning for death by writing a will or letter
- Eating or sleeping more or less than usual
- Feeling more sick, tired or achy than usual
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you are not alone. We are here for you 24/7 on the Trevor Lifeline () – that means all day and night, every weekend, each holiday, and beyond.
If you recognize these signs in someone you know, encourage them to ask for help. If they need support, empower them to call the Trevor Lifeline at to talk with a trained volunteer counselor. Trevor is here 24/7 – that means all day and night, every weekend, and every holiday.
If you are able, please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Crime Victim Advocate: 541.602.0616
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!
