Suicide Prevention Month: Showing Up for Unaccompanied Youth Matters
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. As an advocate working with unaccompanied youth, conversations about mental health are not a foreign concept. Sometimes they happen unexpectedly. Sometimes they happen after you notice a shift in behavior or an “I’m fine”, “todo está bien” in a tone that tells you, something may not be fine.
As an advocate, you may not have clinical training, and you do not have to be a therapist to help a youth. We many times put pressure on ourselves to respond perfectly and just know exactly what to say. You are a person that cares about the well-being of unaccompanied youth, and in reality the perfect words do not always exist. You can begin with:
- “I noticed you seem a little different lately, how are you doing?”
- “You don’t seem like yourself today. Do you want to talk or share?”
- “Thank you for telling me. That is a lot to carry alone. I want to help you but cannot do that alone either, let’s find some options that work for you to receive more support.”
- “I am glad you told me how you are feeling. Thank you for trusting me. Let’s work together to find more support.”
It would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of suicide. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center lists warning signs of suicide including: talking about death, feelings of hopelessness, withdrawing or isolating from others, increased risky behavior, rage, feeling like a burden to others, and recent episodes of emotional distress. [1] If you are worried about a youth’s wellbeing, you can ask directly about suicide, for example “Do you have thoughts of suicide?” Asking about suicide does not put the thought in their head, [2] it gives you clarity about the crisis the youth may be in. It is important to take the youth’s words seriously, listen without judgement, and connect them with appropriate support.
Suicide prevention is not a one-day task, it is about the daily steps we take. Connect with the youth. Learn more than their name and case facts. What are they interested in? What are their goals? Help them feel like they belong, are wanted here, and are worthy. Continue having and creating a space where unaccompanied youth feel safe, supported, and heard.
During this Suicide Prevention Month, let’s keep checking in with youth, asking questions, creating safe space, and being present. If your team does not already have an internal protocol for navigating a potential suicide ideation disclosure from a youth, this is the perfect time to begin that conversation. Prevention goes beyond client communication and referral, it also involves team preparedness.
Thank you for all you do to help unaccompanied youth feel heard, cared for, and safe.
By CILA social work team
[1] Warning Signs of Suicide – Suicide Prevention Resource Center
[2] How to Ask Someone If They Are Thinking About Suicide | JED