September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Middle school is a time of huge transitions, shifting friendships, and growing independence—which can sometimes feel overwhelming. As parents and caregivers, your connection is one of the strongest protective factors in your child's life. You don't need to have all the answers, but keeping lines of communication open makes a world of difference.
Signs to watch for:
● Significant shifts in mood, sleeping patterns, or appetite
● Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they usually love
● Expressions of hopelessness or comments like "I can’t do this anymore”
● A drop in academic performance or sudden changes in behavior
How you can support:
● Ask directly: Checking in with direct questions like "How are you really doing?" or asking about self-harm creates a safe space and shows it's okay to talk about hard things. This allows kids to know they won’t get in trouble for expressing their feelings.
● Listen without judgment: Focus on validating their feelings rather than immediately trying to fix the problem. “That sounds really hard, I’m glad you told me.”
● Reach out early: If you notice changes that concern you, partner with school support, pediatricians, or mental health professionals.
We warmly invite parents to reach out anytime with questions or if you feel your child could benefit from a check-in. We are here to partner with you!
-Egan Counseling Team
