Healthy + Happy #15: It’s time to talk about suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — translation: it’s time to up our awareness of this stigmatized topic. In the U.S. today, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 10-24 year-olds, and rates continue to rise. Although it’s often a taboo subject, experts say talking about suicide is crucial to normalizing kids’ feelings and helping reduce risk.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, making it important to know the signs and talk to our kids from a young age.
Young people today face unprecedented mental health challenges — and factors like discrimination, lack of green space and the pandemic have increased the risk for certain groups (like LGBTQI and Black youth).
Although there aren’t easy solutions — and every child’s situation is different — we can all help our kids combat this complex issue by:
Understanding risk and protective factors.
Communicating with our kids and knowing the warning signs.
Increasing kids access to help — and simplifying the process (think: new suicide prevention hotline number and digital interventions to account for mental health worker shortages).
Restricting access to lethal means.
Supporting positive mental health through good nutrition, family meals, movement and mental health days.
Equipping educators and schools to identify behaviors, teach mental health curriculum, provide mental health resources and allow student mental health days.
Schools offer social connectedness, improved food security and opportunities for structured movement — all of which are vital for mental health.
If you want to learn more or believe your child may be at risk, here are questions you can ask and resources you can use. If risk of suicide is imminent, call 911 or take your child to an emergency room immediately.
In the News
School food round-up.
Two Montana districts teamed up to beat the labor shortage and provide hot lunches for kids.
Farm to School Efforts are gaining traction, led by Minnesota and California.
An anonymous donor pledged nearly $100K to cover meals at one Utah school.
Tight budgets and increased food costs are making things difficult for parents resuming responsibility for school meals.
In short supply.
Adderall, a medication used to treat ADHD, is in short supply.
For those struggling, there are lifestyle choices — like adequate sleep, movement and nutrition — that can positively affect ADHD symptoms.
Football helmets and pads are also in short supply, delaying the season at many schools.
Supply chain issues have only increased the already existing problem of rising costs within youth sports.
Reminders.
Sharenting, oversharing by parents,can be dangerous for kids.
Reading food labels is important- these food additives are banned in Europe, but allowed in the U.S.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
The Chef Ann Foundation is hosting a virtual event with the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy at UCLA Law School to identify how states are creating legislative pathways for Healthy Meals for All. The event will be on October 13 at 5 p.m. ET. Register here.
Stephen Menyhart, director of food services for Boulder Valley School District, is bringing people along on locavore Colorado culinary adventures and food fun in his district. Check out the School Food Project on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Have other national events or grant opportunities you'd like us to highlight? Let us know.
We hope you enjoyed Healthy + Happy. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thoughts.