Adults must ask teens the tough questions

There are so many factors that go into suicide, particularly teenage suicide, that there is no one-size-fits all solution. For some children it can be bullying in school or online, while others might not have the tools to cope with troubles in their home lives. Still other teenagers might find pressure in school to be overwhelming.

And that’s not to discount those young adults dealing with chemical imbalances who might not even understand why they feel the way they do.

One of the most helpful and far-reaching things loved ones can do is to communicate and work to remove the stigma that often accompanies talking about and addressing such issues . ...

Of course, in order to begin those conversations, parents must be aware and engaged with their children enough to know when something is troubling them.

Again, communication and conversation on a regular basis is the best approach to developing such a rapport.

And these efforts are not and should not just be limited to parents but extend to other adults, such as coaches and teachers, who play an important role in our children’s lives.

Adults cannot be afraid to ask the tough questions because they are scared they won’t know what to do with the answers . ...

Read the full editorial from the Ashtabula Star-Beacon at bit.ly/2DDh3UF