A note from Austin County News Online: Austin County News Online is not a mental health or medical organization, and we are not trained mental health professionals. This article is being shared to help bring attention to an issue that affects individuals, families and communities everywhere. If you or someone you love is struggling, in emotional pain or needs someone to talk to, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day. There is no shame in asking for help.

Every person carries things that others cannot see.

A coworker may laugh through lunch and then cry alone in the car. A friend may answer every question with “I’m fine.” A teenager may go to school, make good grades and spend time with friends while quietly struggling. A parent may continue taking care of everyone else while feeling as though there is no one to turn to.

That is part of what makes suicide prevention so difficult. The signs are not always obvious.

During National Suicide Prevention Week, observed Sept. 6-12, communities across the country are being reminded of the importance of recognizing when someone may be struggling and, perhaps more importantly, being willing to ask when something does not seem right.

Warning signs can include withdrawing from family and friends, significant changes in mood, sleeping or eating habits, increased alcohol or drug use, reckless behavior, giving away possessions or talking about feeling hopeless, trapped or like a burden.

But sometimes the signs are much quieter.

Someone may stop making plans for the future. They may lose interest in something they once loved. They may become difficult to reach. Comments about death or hopelessness may be dismissed as dark humor. And sometimes there may be few outward signs at all.

That is why checking on the people we love matters
When someone says, “I’m fine,” sometimes it is worth asking the second question: “Are you really?”

Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea into their head. It can instead open the door for someone who has been suffering silently to finally talk about what they are experiencing.

Young People in a World That Never Turns Off

The issue is particularly concerning for children, teenagers and young adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 24 in 2023. That same year, 20% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide during the previous year, and 9% reported attempting suicide.

Young people are also growing up in an online world previous generations never experienced.

Social media can provide friendship, encouragement and a sense of belonging. It can also expose young people to cyberbullying, unrealistic comparisons, cruelty and potentially harmful content involving suicide or self-harm. Social media alone should not be blamed for suicide, but what young people encounter online can become part of a much larger mental health struggle.

Parents and caregivers cannot see everything, but they can remain involved.

Know something about the online spaces children are spending time in. Talk about what they are seeing. Pay attention to sudden changes in behavior, friendships, sleeping habits or attitudes toward school and family. Make sure children know they can come to an adult when something online becomes frightening, humiliating or overwhelming without fearing that the first response will be anger or punishment.

Most importantly, keep talking to them — even when they roll their eyes.
Remind them that no breakup, bad grade, embarrassing photograph, rumor, argument, online post or moment of humiliation is worth their life.
Whatever happened today can be faced tomorrow.

Pay Attention to Your People

Suicide does not belong to one age group, profession, income level or type of family. The person struggling may be a teenager, veteran, farmer, first responder, teacher, business owner, parent, grandparent or the person everyone else depends on.

Mental and emotional pain is not always visible from the outside.

So check on the quiet friend. Check on the strong friend. Check on the person who has had a terrible year — and check on the person who seems to have everything going right.

Listen without immediately trying to fix everything. Take comments about suicide and hopelessness seriously. If something feels wrong, ask.

For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. If someone is in immediate danger or has made a suicide attempt, call 911 or seek emergency medical assistance.

There is no shame in needing help.
There is no shame in asking for it.
You may not always be able to see what another person is carrying.
But you can make sure they do not have to carry it alone.