The role of an adult supporting a student may be challenging and difficult to navigate alone.
You may be worried about your student and interested in finding information on warning signs. You may also be feeling the weight and stress of having to support your student through their struggles. These situations may make us feel alone and overwhelmed.
Knowing the warning signs and recognizing emerging mental health concerns is important to ensure that students are able to access supports when in need of help.
Review the Mental Health America (MHA) Signs and Symptoms Guide to look for:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most youth who die by suicide show some Warning Signs and Behavioral Changes. Common signs include:
Emergency Notice: If you or someone that you know is experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please dial 911 immediately.
24/7 Crisis Support: If you or someone that you know is struggling emotionally, experiencing an issue with drugs or alcohol, or having a hard time, please call or text 988 to connect with the San Diego Access and Crisis Line.
As a parent or caregiver, you need to be prepared for dealing with problems—big and small. That includes taking care of your child's mental health. Important steps to take include:
Supporting students and navigating their behavioral health needs requires emotional energy, patience, and persistence. Caregivers often focus entirely on the student while placing their own needs on hold.
Recognizing and meeting your own mental, emotional, and physical health needs gives you the foundation to remain available and strong for your student.
NAMI San Diego (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides extensive free support, education, and advocacy for families: