​Kids are facing unprecedented stressors. Due to today's COVID crisis, many children and teens are dealing with isolation, fear of getting sick or getting loved ones sick and what might happen to their families in today's uncertain economic environment. It can all become too much, with some kid's mental health deteriorating into thoughts of suicide.

Suicide is a scary, uncomfortable subject for parents consider, let alone discuss with their children. But just as we teach our children to reach out for help when they are struggling in school, with friends and in many other aspects of their lives, we also need to teach them what to do when their mental health begins to break down and they need help. We want our children to know that many people – kids and adults – are struggling with issues like these right now, that there are ways to get through these rough times and that, most importantly, they don't have to try figuring out how to deal with difficult thoughts and emotions alone. The key is for parents to step up, be proactive and teach their kids actions they can take so they can better manage their way through the storm, with help from people who care about them and know how to help them cope better and heal.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Boys Town wants to help by giving parents tools they can give to their kids so they know what to do when they are struggling and have thoughts of suicide. The following are three helpful, effective tools Boys Town offers that every parent can give to their child or teen to help prevent suicide.

• The first tool involves not being afraid to talk with kids about suicide and suicidal thoughts. Let them know that if they are struggling, they need to talk to someone right away, just like a pilot making a mayday call when things are going wrong on a flight. Teach your child to do the same by using Your Life Your Voice's resource, How to Make a Mayday Call.
• The second tool involves making sure your kids have access to crisis help whenever they may need it. To do this, take the time with your kids to add the Boys Town National Hotline number to their cell phone. There is no better way to spend the next five minutes with your children than helping them add this number as a contact in their phone. Go to this page on their mobile device and click on the button that says SAVE THE NUMBER. Once saved, let them know it is there for them to call anytime, 24/7, all year long. 
• The third tool involves downloading the MyLifeMyVoice app from the Boys Town National Hotline onto your child's cell phone using the App Store or Google Play. With this free app, children and teens can track their mood each day and get tips on how to deal with difficult days. When their mood starts trending downward, the app prompts them to reach out and talk to a trusted person.

We encourage you to have this difficult discussion with your children and give them these tools. It might be uncomfortable, but you will never regret it. Let's all work together to do all we can do to prevent suicide.