A sharp rise in adolescent suicides has made supporting the emotional wellbeing of our teenagers more urgent than ever. While we struggle to understand what is triggering these deaths, there’s a premium on finding ways to stay connected to our kids — tuned into their moods and what’s going on in their lives. We know that strong connections to family, friends, and others in the community are among the protective factors that reduce the risk of suicide.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and with that in mind we’re focusing on strategies for supporting kids who are down on themselves, skeptical that treatment can help, or feeling overwhelmed. And because kids who are struggling are often more comfortable talking to their friends, we offer guidelines for teenagers on how to be a supportive friend, and when they need to tell an adult that their friend is in trouble.

– Caroline Miller, Editorial Director  | ✉