suicide prevention

BY BETH SLAUGHTER SEXTON STAFF CORRESPONDENT

In a study released earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control reported that almost three in five teenage girls felt persistent sadness, doubling the rate of boys with one in three girls seriously considering attempting suicide. The findings were based on surveys given to teens across the U.S. in 2021.

The rates of sadness are the highest reported in a decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), reflecting a national tragedy compounded by the stress and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is conducted every two years and the rates of mental health problems have gone up with every report since 2011. In addition, medical experts report seeing more young patients test positive on screenings for depression. About 57 percent of the girls reported feeling sadness every day for at least two weeks during the previous year. Depression symptoms sometimes manifest differently in boys and girls, according to the CDC report. Girls with depression often have continuous feelings of hopelessness or sadness and boys with depression often show aggression or irritability, the report states.

GUIDE Inc., is at the forefront of educating and training area individuals interested in learning how to help young people in crisis. In addition, GUIDE is a leader in working to increase the availability of suicide prevention gatekeeper training; decrease the perceived stigma of suicide; increase awareness of suicide prevention and intervention strategies and increase use of evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.

Amira Abdulhafid, program director for suicide prevention at GUIDE works to promote programs and training designed to help adults who work with young people learn how to help them when they are experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or in another crisis. Abdulhafid reports Gwinnett County experienced a 91 percent increase in suicides among young people age 10-24, from 2020 to 2021.

Much of GUIDE’s training is free while other programs charge a nominal fee. Whether it’s a class on “Marijuana: More Harmful Than You Think” or “What is Heroin?” or “The Brain and Addiction,” just to name a few, GUIDE Inc., is a leader educating and training individuals interested in helping young people with a range of issues. One such program, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent, ages 12-18, who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Abdulhafid visits locations throughout the county where she offers resources and presents information to area residents.

Gatekeeper training refers to programs designed to teach individuals the warning signs of suicide and how to respond in a crisis situation. GUIDE also offers a downloadable brochure that can be used to learn about warning signs, crisis lines, Gwinnett resources, training and more. For the brochure, a list of crisis lines and national and statewide suicide prevention and mental health initiatives, or to sign up for training, visit www.guideinc.org.

Since 1986, GUIDE has contributed extensively to the prevention field in Georgia, garnering many awards and honors for its accomplishments. Its mission is to improve community conditions by utilizing collaborations, promoting positive youth development, delivering specialized training and resources and preventing substance use and abuse. GUIDE began 37 years ago as a joint effort between the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the Gwinnett County Board of Education. Both boards wanted to have a comprehensive, coordinated and proactive approach to reducing and preventing substance use and abuse.