How often do you do a self-check of your emotional well-being? Do you put as much emphasis on your emotional wellness as you do your physical wellness? For the majority of people, the answer is no. We all tend to put our emotional wellbeing on the back burner. If you cut yourself, you put a band-aid on, if you feel under the weather, you go to the doctor. However, so often, when we are feeling emotionally drained we do nothing. Your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical well-being, some would say even more. Being aware of what you are feeling can help you channel those emotions. Achieving emotional balance leads to all around better health.

Achieving Emotional Wellness Balance
Here are a few ways to become emotionally balanced:
1. Manage Stress. Stress can damage both your physical and emotional well-being. Find an outlet to manage your stress. For some, physical activity such as walking, biking, running are ways to alleviate daily stress. Others use mindfulness techniques, journaling, or reading to help manage their stress levels.
2. Seek balance. We are often pulled in many different directions every day. Maintain a healthy balance when setting goals and responsibilities. Don’t over commit. Being overwhelmed hinders focus and productivity, which leads to burn-out. Most importantly set aside time for yourself.
3. Get enough sleep. Sleep is the foundation for maintaining both physical and emotional health. It allows your body time to rejuvenate!

Why is it so important to be emotionally healthy?
People with good emotional health:
• Maintain a healthy balance between leisure time, family, and work
• Feel good about them
• Are able to accept change
• Enjoy life
• Have less stress, and are better equipped to deal with stress
• Maintain healthy relationships
• Are content with their lives

 Did you know that Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24?

Source: 2015 CDC WISQARS

More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.

“Each day in our nation, there are over 5,000 suicide attempts by young people grades 7-12.”
Source: The Jason Foundation

These staggering statistics emphasize the importance of talking to your teenagers about suicide.
Know the warning signs and how to have conversations with your teens.

“Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.”
Source: The Jason Foundation

Warning Signs:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Source: Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

If your child is exhibiting any of the warning signs, it is important to talk to them and point out the behaviors in a non-judgmental way. Do not be afraid to ask, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

If Suicidal Ideation is Present:

• Options for getting a suicidal assessment:
  • Go to your nearest Emergency Room
  • Go to a mental health treatment center
  • Call Mobile Crisis Services:
    • Youth Villages (866-791-9222)

Important Information for the Home if suicide ideation is present or has been in the past:

• Remove all sharp objects (knives, scissors, and razors etc.)
  • You may also lock them up instead of removing them if your teenager cannot access them.
• The suicidal teenager should not be left alone for any reason.

If Suicidal Ideation is Not Present but has been in the Past:

• Encourage your teenager to talk to a counselor.
• To find a counselor:
  • The counselors at school, the school social worker, or your pediatrician can give you names of counselors that fit your teenager’s signs and symptoms.

Hotline Numbers to Keep in Mind:

• • Crisis CALL Lines:
    • National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
    • TN Statewide Crisis Line: 855-274-7471
    • Vanderbilt Crisis Line: 615-327-7000
  • Crisis TEXT Lines:
    • Text START to 741-741
    • Centerstone Crisis Text Line: 844-899-TEXT (8398)

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