The shifts in our society have impacted all of us, but teenagers are especially impacted. Sexual violence, bullying, social isolation, climate change, school shootings, threat of wars, discrimination of all kinds, and other pressures assail teenagers in ways that adults do not always recognize or take the time to deal with.

If you know of a teen who talks about or is contemplating suicide, below are some helpful suggestions you can do:

1. Ask if he or she is okay or having thoughts of suicide.
2. Express your concern about what you are observing in his or her behavior.
3. Listen attentively and nonjudgmentally.
4. Reflect what is shared and let the person know he or she has been heard.
5. Tell the person he or she is not alone.
6. Let him or her know treatments are available that can help.
7. Guide the person to additional professional help. 

One of the most significant ways to help teenagers is simply listening and letting he or she know you care and want to be there for him or her. We all need to do more. Our youth are our future. They need to be cared for and loved. Society is not doing a good enough job.