Young people today are navigating a world that often feels overwhelming and out of their control. But with the right support, they can move from feelings of helplessness to hope and action. Adult allies (parents, caregivers, educators, mentors, or community leaders) play a powerful role in shaping environments that are not just supportive but truly empowering.
Need help? Find housing, food, healthcare, and more in DuPage. 211 DuPage was implemented on November 15, 2022, as a program provided by DuPage County Department of Community Services and the Addison Consolidated Dispatch Center through the support of DuPage County and 211 Illinois.
Anxiety is part of the human experience and at times the word “anxiety” is watered down. People worry about a wide variety of things. Finances, job stability, relationships, child-rearing, health, and safety come to mind as common worries on a day-to-day basis. Not all worrying, however, qualifies as anxiety.
Anxiety disorders include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety that negatively impact functioning. For kids, this might mean that anxiety makes it difficult to get to school each day, make and maintain friends, sleep at night, or focus in the classroom. For adults, work, romantic relationships, friendships, finances, and physical health can suffer. Anxiety manifests in many ways (physical, emotional, and behavioral), and there are several disorders that fall under “anxiety disorders.”
Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is suicidal, there’s plenty you can do to help save a life.
It can be frightening if someone you love talks about suicidal thoughts. It can be even more frightening if you find yourself thinking about dying or giving up on life. Not taking these kinds of thoughts seriously can have devastating outcomes, as suicide is a permanent solution to (often) temporary problems.
Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 47,000 Americans each year.
We will never know what causes anyone, celebrity or no, to decide that life was no longer worth living. We can, however, work to do better by others in the ways we talk about mental illness and suicide and do better by ourselves by seeking help when we need it.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts or sexual assault, these are the numbers to call.