Talk To Your Kids About Suicide: Bartow County Sheriff's Office

BARTOW COUNTY, GA -- The Bartow County Sheriff's Office released information today about youth suicide, pointing to warning signs and what parents and friends can do to help. They said that according to the Centers for Disease Control, one person in Georgia dies from suicide every seven hours.

"We need parents and guardians to understand and recognize the problem," the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. "There are many reasons a child may feel that suicide is their only option or the answer to their problems."

Signs to look for, according to the press release, are:

• Drastic changes in behavior or mood
• Loss of interest in typical activities
• Changes in friends
• Risky behaviors (sex, drugs, alcohol)
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Isolation, or seems disconnected
• Sense of hopelessness

Some of these signs, alone, are typical of teens. However, the more factors that apply to a child, the more likely it is that they are suicidal. In Georgia, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 10-24 and according to SPAN-GA, an average of three students in a typical middle or high school class have attempted suicide in the past year.

The Sheriff's Office outlined gun safety measures all parents should take, regardless of their kids' mental state. The presence of guns at home can make teens more likely to attempt suicide, though following certain safety measures can help prevent that.

• Keep your gun in a locked cabinet or safe
• Keep your gun unloaded with a safety measure in place (such as a gun barrel lock or trigger lock) that makes it inoperable. Gun barrel locks are available at the Bartow County Sheriff's Office.
• Store your ammunition in a separate locked box away from guns.
• Only a responsible adult should have the key to access the weapons and ammunition.

It's every parent's responsibility to keep an open line of communication with their children. "Make it your business to know what is going on in their lives. Monitor their social media accounts and know what they are saying and posting," the warning states. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to ask your child directly, "Are you considering suicide?"

Some say that asking that question directly can put the idea into the child's head. But, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office says that is not true. "Starting a conversation about suicide and lead to help for the youth. Do not ignore the warning signs!"

Article image via Bartow County Sheriff's Office