By VICKIE CLARK

Question: August is Suicide Prevention Month. Is that really something I need to worry about?
Answer: Yes, suicide rates in the U.S. are rising. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents and the second leading cause of death for college-age youth. Surveys indicate that about a fourth of all high school students have thought about suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
Be willing to listen to your kids. There’s a lot of seriously scary things facing kids today. At a recent Carter County Health Council meeting, we were told about a social media/digital “game” called the Blue Whale Dare. If you are a parent of teens, you need to look it up (being forewarned is being fore armed).
There is no typical suicide victim. No age group, ethnicity or background is immune. Fortunately, many troubled individuals display behaviors deliberately or inadvertently to signal their suicidal intent. Recognizing the warning signs and learning what to do next may help save a life.
Warning Signs:
The following signs may indicate a risk for suicide and should be watched closely. If they appear numerous or severe, seek professional help at once.
• Talking about suicide, death and/or no reason to live
• Preoccupation with death and dying
• Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities
• Experience of a recent severe loss (especially a relationship) or the threat of a significant loss
• Experience or fear of humiliation or failure
• Drastic changes in behavior
• Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
• Giving away prized possessions
• History of suicide attempts, as well as violence and/or hostility
• Unnecessary risks; reckless and/or impulsive behavior
• Loss of interest in personal appearance
• Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs
• General hopelessness
• Unwillingness to connect with potential helpers
WHAT DO YOU DO?
• Be aware. Learn the warning signs.
• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Ask if he or she is thinking about suicide.
• Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow for expressions of feelings, and accept those feelings.
• Be nonjudgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
• Don’t dare him or her to do it.
• Don’t give advice by making decisions for someone else, or by telling them to behave differently.
• Don’t ask why. This encourages defensiveness.
• Offer empathy, not sympathy.
• Don’t act shocked. This creates distance.
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
• Offer hope that alternatives are available. Do not offer glib reassurance; it only proves you don’t understand.
• Take action. Remove means. Get help from individuals or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Vickie Clark is the Director of the Carter County UT Extension Office and also serves as the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. If you have questions or need any information related to Family and Consumer Science contact her at the UT Extension Carter County, 824 East Elk Ave., Elizabethton, call 542-1818 or email at vclark@utk.edu.