Article Title: “The Pandemic Has Researchers Worried About Teen Suicide”

Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/10/911117577/the-pandemic-has-researchers-worried-about-teen-suicide 

Summary: 

Since the pandemic suicide rates in teens has risen. Isolation and being away from close friends and adults can cause them to become anxious. More time alone is more time to get lost in their thoughts. Thoughts hold strong power when it comes to emotions. Mindsets that are positive develop hopeful emotions and mindsets that are negative can cause emotions such as  sadness and anger which can potentially lead to depression (Dr. Steven Melemis, I Want to Change My Life. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Guide, Free CBT Worksheet, Thought Record.” I Want to Change My Life, 31 Oct. 2020, www.iwanttochangemylife.org/cbt/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-guide.htm). Little by little these things develop and some teens start having suicidal thoughts. Further in the article the connection between gun-control and teen suicide is talked about. It is known that because teens are now mostly at home, they tend to be aware of everything in their home such as knowing where parents keep guns or other items that can be used for self harm. Another important topic that was brought up in the article was ways that parents could recognize when and how to help. First was the when; they advised parents to keep a lookout for moods such as sadness and/or anger. The how part stated that parents should ask them directly and daily how they’re doing or what’s going on.  

Personal Connection: 

Isolation has impacted me personally because before all of this I was ALWAYS at school. It’s strange to be home all the time now. I feel useless. I have moments where I don’t feel like myself; at first it would bother me so much but now I don’t feel anything. At times I just want to stay in my room all day and think about the future because I feel like it might not happen. I started becoming anxious when thinking about my future which is something I’ve never felt before because I’ve always been so sure of what I wanted to do. I grew out of many friendships too. During the summer I wasn’t sure if I even wanted friends, I kept thinking that I was better off alone. I still have moments where I feel this way, but I’ve learned to cope with it by listening to music, spending time with family, working, or just talking to someone about it. 

Statistics:

– 1 in 4 teens have actually thought of suicide

– Gun suicide attemps have a 90% success rate

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Article Title: “Why Some Young People Fear Social Isolation More Than COVID-19”

Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/04/885546281/why-some-young-people-fear-social-isolation-more-than-covid-19 

Summary:  

In the article, the main idea is how teens seem to care more about mental health than the pandemic (Noguchi, Yuki. “Why Some Young People Fear Social Isolation More Than COVID-19.” NPR, NPR, 4 July 2020, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/04/885546281/why-some-young-people-fear-social-isolation-more-than-covid-19). that is what parents and others think however that’s not the case. Teenagers do care but it is known that the elderly are the ones mostly being impacted. They do care; what’s impacting them the most right now is lack of being social, which is needed for brain development. 

Personal Connection: 

I would definitely fit in with those teens who care a lot about mental health right now. As for adults around me, my grandma is supportive of it and we talk about it constantly. Adults I organize with are also supportive and go out of their way to inform us on mental health. They also have one-one with the leads (teens who organize with them), they ask us questions and we get to be as open as we’d like without judgement. Those one-one conversations have made me feel okay with myself, I appreciate them. I feel like the adults who haven’t been as connected or supportive are teachers. I have teachers who are and again, I truly appreciate them because they keep me safe and make me feel okay but I’ve heard many students say how they feel that they need more support from teachers, they need more open conversations on mental health and everything going on currently. 

Survey:

I’d love for you all to share your experiences with me, if you feel comfortable doing so or just answer the multiple choice questions. The survey is anonymous. You may also give me feedback on the comments <3

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