September is National Suicide Prevention month. According to Kentucky’s Department of Education (DOE) website, suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults. Kentucky’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that 15 percent of Kentucky high school students (1 in 7) reported having seriously considered suicide within a 12-month period. In addition, 17.4 percent of Kentucky middle school students (nearly 1 in 5) reported that they had seriously considered killing themselves at some point in their lives.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky recently updated its statutes related to suicide prevention education in schools. It is now mandated that all schools are to conduct an evidence-based suicide prevention program with students in grades 6 through 12 two times a year (by September 15 and by January 15). According to LifeSkills Children’s Services Clinical Director, Katie Hopper, “School districts have some flexibility regarding which program they use, but we’ve been hearing that some school districts have already completed their first round of the program.”

Hopper also shared the news that LifeSkills and the Caverna school district are partnering together on a grant that is built around suicide prevention. “It is called the Garrett Lee Smith KY SAFETY grant,” said Hopper. “It includes their school district and LifeSkills prevention and children’s clinical services.” Hopper emphasized that they are still early in the grant process, but the goal is to create a suicide care pathway for youth to be screened and connected to appropriate behavioral health services quickly.

Hopper believes it is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the suicide prevention programs taking place in schools, because the better informed they are, the easier it will be for them to have follow-up conversations at home with their kids.

“Suicide used to be thought of as a taboo topic,” said Hopper. “It was believed that if we talked about it, it would make things worse. But, as it turns out, just the opposite is true. It is important for parents to take their children seriously and not minimize their experiences, because we know for a fact that there are youth struggling.”

Hopper emphasized the importance of making kids feel connected and supported. “Parents should calmly assist their child, and listen without judgment,” said Hopper. “I can never emphasize enough that mental health struggles impact all people, no matter their age or background. We know there are populations of youth that are more vulnerable to suicidal experiences (untreated mental health issues, minorities, LGBTQ+, substance use, etc.) but it can impact all of them. The popular kid, and the loner. The athletes and the academics. All of them. So it is of key importance to be there for them. Become their safe space.”

Since its inception in July of 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line has received over five million contacts. When people call, text or chat 988, they will be connected to highly trained mental health professionals who will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support and connect them to local resources, if necessary. Calls are primarily answered locally and are not just for suicide related concerns but also for any mental health or substance abuse crisis.

Concerned parents can reach out to 988, or to a mental health professional, if already linked to one. They can also call 270-901-5712 for the Children’s Crisis Unit.

According to the DOE website, warning signs for suicide include:

Talking About

•wanting to die

•intense guilt or shame

•being a burden to others

Feeling

•empty, hopeless, trapped or having no reason to live

•extremely sad, more anxious, agitated or full of rage

•unbearable emotional or physical pain

Behaviors

•making a plan or researching ways to die

•withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items or making a will

•taking dangerous risks

•displaying extreme mood swings

•eating or sleeping more or less

•using drugs or alcohol more often

To help raise suicide awareness, LifeSkills is hosting a Suicide Prevention Month proclamation signing on Wednesday, September 18 at 5:00 at its 10th Street location (330 East 10th Street). Local officials will be present and community members are welcome to attend.

– Maureen Mahaney coordinates public information for LifeSkills, Inc., a non-profit, behavioral health care corporation that plans for and serves the people of southcentral Kentucky in three main areas: mental health, addiction, and developmental disabilities. Her column appears monthly.