Talking with your teen about what he/she is thinking and feeling and getting at the root of his/her depression is key to working toward a solution. Listen to your teen. Pay attention to every word he/she has to say. Read between the lines if necessary. It cannot be stressed enough- listening is of utmost importance. By listening you are communicating that you care and that you are there to support the other person. Don’t underestimate the role you play in helping. Feeling that another person is in their corner goes a long way in making a suicidal teen feel loved, cherished and not alone in the world. Your teen needs to feel that there is hope- hope that things will get better in time, and that there are people who are willing to listen and that she can overcome her problems.
Effective Strategies
There are many ways that parents as well as friends can helped a depressed teenager deal with their own personal situation. Below are a few of the most effective strategies:
Talk
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be willing to really listen to what the other person has to say. Don’t dismiss your teen’s problems as unimportant or as “just a phase.” Parents and other influential adults should never laugh at or ignore a teenager’s problems or concerns, especially if they matter very much to him/her and are the source of a great deal of unhappiness.
Be honest
If you’re worried about your teen by all means let her know. You won’t encourage thoughts of suicide by asking about it. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Your actions have reinforced that you do indeed care about her welfare.
Share your personal feelings and experiences
Let your teen know about times in your own life when you’ve felt sad, discouraged or depressed. Reassure him/her that it’s perfectly normal and that everybody feels this way from time to time.