Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 RESOURCES FOR PARENTS Parents of children experiencing a mental health crisis can call the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board's Emergency Services Line to connect with local resources: 540-373-6876 Visit rappahannockareascsb.org/prevention to learn about various programs and training that RACSB offers in the community for youth substance use prevention, resilience, suicide prevention and mental wellness. Visit lockandtalk.org to learn practical steps that can help prevent suicides and promote mental health within your household and community. Visit livevapefreeva.org for resources for parents and teens to Live Vape Free. Visit https://bit.ly/PlanningDistrict16MedicationCollectionSites for locations of permanent medication collection bins to safely dispose of expired and unused medications. Join us for the live conversation on Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent & Family YouTube and Facebook channels this month for a video interview with RACSB. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent Twitter: @FredParent Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt Sponsored Material Ninety-three percent of nonfatal self-harm hospitalizations were due to drug poisoning. This includes everything from the marketing of vaping products in kid-friendly flavors to recent state legislation that makes it legal for adults to possess and cultivate marijuana in Virginia. "The perceptions that teens have toward all of these products have been changed a lot in the last couple of years," he said. DRUGS AS A MEANS FOR SELF-HARM The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported in May that self-harm visits to hospital emergency depart- ments among Virginia youth aged 9 to 18 years more than doubled from 6,520 visits in 2016 to 14,298 visits in 2021. Ninety-three percent of nonfatal self-harm hospitaliza- tions were due to drug poisoning. "What we know is that teens who use substances— whether alcohol, opioids or other drugs—are at an increased risk for self-harm," said Jordan Brooks, Regional Suicide Prevention Initiative Coordinator for the community services boards within Health Planning Region 1 (which includes the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board). "They tend to use alco- hol and other drugs to manage those difficult feelings instead of opening up about them." Brooks co-leads Lock and Talk Virginia, a suicide pre- vention program that encourages Virginians to secure lethal means such as drugs and firearms, and to talk openly about mental health and suicide. One important step for parents to take is to secure all medications in a locked box in the household, as research shows that putting even a few minutes between a suicidal person and lethal means can greatly reduce the likelihood of an actual suicide attempt. Firearms—which VDH statistics show cause 51% of all youth suicides—should also be locked up separately from ammunition, with trigger locks as another option for preventing their use. But in addition to locking up lethal means, it's equally important for parents to talk openly about their children's emotional well-being. "One of the biggest protective factors against suicide in youth is the ability to feel con- nected at home, with friends and at school," Brooks said. "Let them know that you are there, you love them no matter what and you are there to listen and talk. There is no easy way to have these conversations, but it can be as simple as saying, 'I am concerned about you. I love you.' If you are noticing things like behavioral changes or other warning signs, put that on the table." Brooks says it's important not to downplay or judge a teen's feelings, and to not be deterred if they don't seem to be listening—keep finding ways to have the conversation. Shin said research continues to show that sitting down regularly for a family dinner can be a huge protective factor for teen mental health and substance abuse. "Having a routine where you sit down with your children and eat dinner on a regular basis is one of the biggest protective factors that a parent can provide," he said. "Engage them in conversation about their lives. It doesn't have to be—let's talk about vaping today and mari- juana tomorrow. Simply providing that connection is a great way to reduce potential use or abuse of illegal chemicals."

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