This story mentions suicide, if you or someone you know is struggling, please call Alaska’s crisis and suicide prevention lifeline at 988, help is available today.

NOTN- NAMI Juneau is inviting parents, caregivers and other trusted adults to a community event next week aimed at helping them recognize and respond to youth struggling with suicidal thoughts and ideations.

Charity Anderson with the National Alliance on Mental Illness said many young people hide their distress, even as their behavior changes.

“It’s really easy for people to mask how they’re feeling. You know, they’ll put on a smile, pretend everything is fine. In the background, maybe they are isolating a lot more, maybe they aren’t reaching out to friends as much, if somebody is sleeping a lot less or sleeping a lot more, if they are withholding food or eating too much, those could all be warning signs that somebody might be struggling.” Anderson said.

Anderson said warning signs of depression are showing up in younger and younger children, noting recent Alaska data on youth mental health is especially troubling.

As mentioned in a story by the Alaska Beacon, ‘The suicide-death rate for young Alaskans hit a 10-year high last year and the rate of suicide attempts has increased over the past decade.’

The free presentation, “Signs of Suicide,” will be held Sept. 17 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Floyd Dryden. Anderson said it is geared toward parents, caregivers, coaches and any adults who regularly interact with youth.

The program is built around the message ‘ACT’ acknowledge that something is wrong, show the person you care, and tell a trusted adult or help them connect with support.

Anderson said it is important for adults to share their own experiences with mental health struggles when appropriate, to normalize those feelings and show youth they are not alone. She also encouraged people to ask directly if they are worried someone may be suicidal, calling the common fear that the question might “put the idea in their head” a myth.

“Let that person know that you are a safe place to talk to. Sometimes people just need to know that they have somebody there.” She said.

The event will include food, youth activities and supervised childcare so adults can focus on the presentation.