Between social media, deepfakes and chatbots, there’s a lot of technology that can take kids and their mental health in a lot of different directions. It can be difficult and daunting for parents. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and there are things parents can do to help, but they have to be willing to be proactive.
“A parent’s job is usually to be there for their kids to make sure they’re having conversations early and often about what kind of information they’re receiving,” said Dr. John Ackerman, clinical manager of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“It doesn’t have to be constant surveillance,” he added. But they need to be direct and proactive.
“Definitely want to be able to talk directly about the types of things that they’re seeing,” Ackerman said.
That means asking pointed questions about the kind of online material coming across their phones and social accounts. Ackerman said 1 in 5 kids will contemplate suicide at some point, and while most won’t go that route, it’s becoming a growing concern in mental health spaces, especially as kids immerse themselves more and more in technology.
“We want people to be able to support kids in finding connection, finding support,” said Ackerman.
“Kids really like to be supported and reinforced and told that they’re doing well,” he added. “When kids start to rely on technology for support and connection and meaning in their lives, I think that does it does reduce the meaning of their actual social contacts and makes it less rewarding for them to be in the world, which I think is really important.”
For parents struggling with how to reach their kids, Ackerman said there’s plenty of online resources that can help parents out. He cited the Kids Mental Health Foundation in addition to the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, where he works, on top of school counselors, primary care providers and therapists.
“Don’t wait until a crisis, or don’t wait until things have escalated to a point where you’re feeling like your hands tied and there’s nothing left to do,” Ackerman said. “Prevention is all about getting support early and making sure you’re getting that support network in place to support kids who are going through a lot.”
If you’re concerned, but not sure if you should be or not, Ackerman said that the gut feeling parents get is usually correct.
“They usually can tell if something’s a little bit off,” said Ackerman. “You don’t have to be perfect in your in your diagnosis. If you’re noticing that something’s wrong, it never hurts to lean in to ask your child how they’re doing. Is something off? What can I do to support you? And have you ever thought about ending your life?”
“Those are things that if you’re wrong, there’s very little cost to it because you’ve let the child know that you’re there for them even in very difficult times,” he said. “If you’re right, you’re going to move forward with a plan of action to keep them safe.”
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