Revisited: Project ChildSafe – Understanding Youth Mental Health

Revisited: Project ChildSafe – Understanding Youth Mental Health 

Understanding youth mental health and teen suicide is about remembering the vivid and constrained world of youth and perspective. For some young adults that are novice employers of resilience and perseverance, their world can feel daunting.

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As adults, we can often foreshadow dark days and ideas but are also better equipped to navigate the storm. Teens need a safe environment to traverse their own mountains and Project ChildSafe is an indispensable ally that can aid and assist in this effort. This month, make sure all your firearms are secure because even a few seconds can make all the difference to those that need our help most.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has passed but the youth of this country has the innate responsibility to combat mental health risks and warning signs in conjunction with their families. The Project ChildSafe website is an excellent resource to get started with.

In just two clicks, I found a great tip sheet on the Project ChildSafe Educational Materials page concerning mental health and suicide prevention tips. What I liked best about this resource was its ability to provide a robust enough snapshot of mental health warning signs that I could insert my own considerations in regards to the teenagers in my classroom. This sharp and current cheat sheet covers remedial actions to take and resources to consider when maintaining a safe environment.

If attaching faces to situations and visual learning is your jam, consider the Healthcare and Mental Health Professional Toolkit on the Educational Materials page. This .zip folder is a wealth of videos and additional literature from the professionals on how to spot potential danger and mitigate potentially risky settings that have access to firearms, narcotics and other potentially harmful items. 

Help grow your knowledge base so that you can not only be an asset in your own home but for other families as well. September is a month where we all can take a step back and appreciate youth and teenage health. Confirm you're taking the right steps at GunStorageCheck.org. -IBR

Project ChildSafe: Understanding Youth Mental Health and Teen Suicide

When a person is thought to be potentially suicidal, removing or reducing access to lethal means may possibly stop a tragedy. This guide suggests different ways to secure or store these items, which include, but are not limited to the following things: firearms, prescription or illicit drugs, alcohol, chemicals and weapons – including knives, dangerous tools or even, the family car.

Be present, knowledgeable and aware of the risks. View the rest of the original post for a full breakdown of what to expect and how to be proactive instead of reactive. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the NSSF's important program, Project ChildSafe. 

Source: Revisited: Project ChildSafe – Understanding Youth Mental Health