Youth suicide topic of community training
May 2—DANVILLE — An informative training addressed the important, troubling topic of youth suicide Thursday night in Danville.
Two Bloomsburg University professionals were featured in the second of the Danville Area Community Center's lecture series — The DACC — Inspire & Transform: Changing Lives Events.
Danielle Empson is the Director of the McDowell Institute and Dr. Tim Knoster is a professor of exceptionality programs, both work at Bloomsburg University.
The McDowell Institute supports the facilitation of social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults in local schools and communities, according to the community center.
Their mission is accomplished through trainings like the one presented at the Pine Barn Inn on Thursday.
The goal for the lecture was to inform attendees on how to be supportive to young people in their lives especially in times when they might be struggling, Empson said.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 to 24, according to data presented by Knoster.
Knoster presented a variety of risk and protective factors that affect children and young adults.
Risk factors include things like experiencing traumatic events, substance misuse, bullying and more, the professor said.
Protective factors lowers a persons risk of a negative health outcome. Examples include a reasonably strong level of self-esteem, good problem-solving skills, mindfulness and more, according to Knoster.
"The single most critical protective factors is having at least one trusted caring adult that they can go to and talk to about anything they need," Knoster said.
The goal for adults should be to minimize risk factors while increasing protective factors for young people, the professor explained.
Empson suggested adults make sure young people in their lives understand they can open up about anything.
She suggested a few prompts like, "If you had a magic wand, what would your life look like?" or "What makes you feel supported?"
The director shared a few indicators a child might be struggling and said a 'gut feeling' is a valid concern. Indicators also include kids behaving differently than others their age or having difficulties at home, at school or with friends, Empson said.
Changes should become concerning when they last more than a week. "What we are really looking for is changes in behavior over time," Empson said.
In these situations, adults can respond by validating feelings, avoiding judgment or providing resources, according to Empson.
"Don't assume that just because you went through high school or middle school, it's the same experience that they have," Empson said. "Those assumptions can sometimes shut down conversations ... what it really says to them is 'you're not hearing me.'"
