Studies show over 12% of teens in the US have serious thoughts of suicide, often due to many mixed feelings and negative emotions. Sometimes, teenagers do not know how to deal with those negative thoughts, and so they develop suicidal thoughts. Although there are self-help strategies that your teen can take part in at home, it is important to seek professional assistance if you suspect that your teen is having suicidal thoughts.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the harmful impacts of teen suicidal thoughts and can help your son or daughter work through these issues. Contact our team today to learn more about our personalized treatment plans and how we can assist.
Understanding Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are also known as suicidal ideation. It involves thinking about and considering suicide by your teenager. Your teen’s thoughts could begin with fleeting considerations and change to detailed planning on how to commit suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Over 100,000, 14-18-year-old teens visited emergency departments for self-harm injuries. These numbers show the importance of immediately dealing with suicidal ideation in your teen.
Common Triggers
Triggers are the factors that can cause suicidal thoughts in your teenager. They include:
Relationship issues
Bullying
Academic pressure
Loss of loved ones
Other underlying mental health issues that can also trigger teen suicidal ideation include:
Substance abuse
Anxiety
Depression
Sometimes, lack of support, feelings of hopelessness, and social isolation can also make these issues more severe. As a parent, you must understand these triggers to support your teen. Ensure you help your teen access early intervention to prevent the adverse effects of suicidal thoughts.
16 Strategies to Replace Suicidal Thoughts with Positive Thoughts
Here are 16 strategies to help you replace suicidal thoughts in your teen with more positive ones.
Strategy 1: Journaling
Encourage your teen to have a journal where they jot down their feelings and thoughts daily. Your teen does not have to follow a specific format. It is better if your teen freely expresses whatever is on their mind. Encourage your teen to write about specific situations that triggered negative thoughts during the day, describe their emotions for that day, and write about the experiences they enjoyed most. You can suggest prompts such as “What made you grateful today?” or “What made you feel so sad?” to your teen.
Journaling will help your teen process their emotions and identify negative thought patterns. They will better understand their thoughts if they write them down and reflect upon them. Journaling makes your teen self-aware, allowing them to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It also helps your teen express the thoughts they might not be willing to share with others, reducing the negative effects these can have.
Strategy 2: Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a technique that your teen can incorporate into their daily routine. You can guide your teen through simple exercises like body scans or focused breathing. After that, you can introduce your teen to structured meditation practices. Your teen can also use apps like Calm or Headspace for guidance in mindfulness. You should encourage your teen to take a few minutes every day to practice mindfulness meditation in a comfortable and quiet place.
Mindfulness meditation enables your teen to develop emotional regulation skills which help reduce anxiety and help your teen be present in the moment. Mindfulness meditation also reduces negative thoughts and helps your teen develop a more balanced perspective. Research shows regular meditation promotes inner peace, increases self-awareness, and improves mood. These can reduce the risk of suicidal ideation in your teen.
Strategy 3: Physical Activity
Physical activity, like yoga, cycling, walking, sports, gym, or dancing, is another important strategy that can help your teen. Encourage your teen to take part in the physical activities they prefer and enjoy. Community centers, schools, and local gyms offer good activities that your teen can enroll in.
Physical activity facilitates the release of endorphins which are natural mood lifters that reduce stress hormones like cortisol and improve mood. Regular exercise can help your teen manage depression and anxiety. This will increase your teen’s self-esteem and mental well-being. Accomplishments from physical activities will also boost your teen’s confidence and reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Strategy 4: Gratitude Practice
Encourage your teen to incorporate gratitude in their daily journaling practice. Tell them to list five or ten things they are thankful for daily. They can share the list with their family or friends if comfortable, but Don’t pressure your teen to share their list with you.
Thinking about what they are thankful for shifts your ten’s thoughts to positive ones. This change can help your teen identify, recognize, and appreciate good things in their lives. Focusing on the good things will make your teen’s brain more frequently rewire to focus on positive experiences. This will foster an optimistic mindset and reduce the prevalence of negative thoughts in your teen.
Strategy 5: Creative Outlets
It is important to identify creative ways for your teen to express their feelings and thoughts. Art, music, yoga, painting, drawing, or any other creative activity can help them avoid negative thoughts. Allow your teen some private space to make them comfortable freely expressing their feelings and thoughts. You can also enroll them in workshops or art classes for consistency.
Creative outlets provide a safe and healthy channel for your teen to express their feelings. These activities allow your teen to channel their thoughts into tangible things, which can be healing and cathartic. Creative activities will distract your teen from negative thoughts and give them a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
Strategy 6: Positive Affirmations
Positive self-talk can also help your teen replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Your teen can create a list of affirmations that they resonate with. These may include “I am worth more,” “I love myself,” or “I am capable of doing this.” Encourage them to write these affirmations on sticky notes and put them around their room or in their journal where they can see them daily.
Positive self-talk will boost your teen’s confidence and self-esteem. It will also help your teen develop a positive mindset and resilience, allowing them to approach challenges optimistically. Encourage your teen to be consistent with daily positive affirmations. Reminding themselves of their worth will rewire their brains to focus more on positivity and replace negative thoughts that can lead to suicidal ideation.
Strategy 7: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a proven therapeutic intervention that helps teens with suicidal thoughts by identifying and changing their negative thought patterns. During a CBT session, a qualified therapist will guide your teen to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones. Your teen can also access CBT information in self-help books and other online resources.
CBT has a list of benefits that addresses the root cause of negative thoughts. As a result, it helps your teen develop more positive and healthier thoughts. By enabling your teen to identify distorted thoughts, CBT allows your teen to develop constructive ways of addressing emotional pain. It also reduces stress and equips your teen with healthy coping mechanisms.
Strategy 8: Apps for Mental Health
Apps such as MoodPath, Calm, Headspace, and MindDoc are some of the best mental health apps for your teenager. They offer therapeutic exercises, guided meditation, and mood tracking. Encourage your teen to interact with these apps every day to get their benefits. Do not forget to inform your teen of the dangers of excessive screen time. Advise them to set aside a few minutes to use these apps for their well-being.
One advantage of these apps is that they offer mental health resources on the go. Your teen will get guided practices, educational resources, and immediate support These apps will help your teen manage depression, anxiety, and stress and reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.
Strategy 9: Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are good for relaxing the mind and body muscles. Different exercises like box breathing, deep breathing, and the 4-7-8 method can help your teenager manage their distressing emotions. Box breathing involves your teen inhaling for four seconds, holding their breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding their breath again for four seconds. Deep breathing, on the other hand, involves your teen taking a deep breath through their nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly through their mouth.
These exercises promote relaxation and help to reduce stress. Encourage your teen to practice breathing exercises regularly to develop stronger emotional regulation skills for their mental well-being.
Strategy 10: Peer Support Groups
Teenagers enjoy being in the company of their peers, especially if they go through similar challenges. Enroll your teen in peer support groups to connect them with their peers. This will allow your teen to share their feelings and thoughts in a supportive and understanding environment. You can find peer support groups in the community, schools, or online forums. Encourage your teen to take part in these sessions and share with their peers. Sharing will give your teen a sense of belonging.
Your teen may also receive invaluable insights from their peers. Sharing in a group setting reduces the risk of isolation, a common cause of suicidal ideation. Your teen may also receive validation and comfort from sharing with their peers. Listening to people with similar challenges share their experiences will help your teen know they are not alone. This will motivate them to deal with their challenges in a healthy manner.
Strategy 11: Volunteering
Volunteer work can keep your teen engaged and divert their thoughts to whatever they are doing. Encourage your teen to volunteer in community service projects, work, or school. Your teen can also volunteer to do some chores at home. Work with your teen to identify local resources such as food banks, environmental groups, or animal shelters where your teen can volunteer to do some roles. Encourage them to give back to their community consistently.
Giving back through volunteer work will give your teen a sense of purpose in helping others. This can be a powerful tool to change negative thoughts into more positive ones. It also exposes your teen to opportunities for social interaction with peers and other members of the society. This can boost your teen’s moods, reinforce a positive self-image, and reduce feelings of helplessness.
Strategy 12: Professional Counseling
If your teen’s condition is severe, do not hesitate to seek professional assistance. Look for a licensed and qualified therapist or teen mental health treatment program that can help your teen. Finding a qualified counselor or therapist can be challenging and needs more research. Look through the Arizona Department of Health Services website, reputable mental health facilities like Nexus Teen Academy, or schools. The therapist will guide you on whether your teen should engage in individual, group, or family therapy. Ensure your teen undertakes tailored therapy to address their unique needs and preferences.
Professional counseling can help your teen develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage trauma. It will also enable them develop resilience to deal with distressing emotions. Therapy will also address your teen’s underlying mental health issues that may increase the risk of suicidal ideation.
Strategy 13: Educational Resources
In addition to the strategies above, your teen can enrich themselves with educational resources on mental health. These can help your teen can learn how to deal with suicidal thoughts. Look for materials that cover topics such as emotional regulation, mental health disorders, and stress management. You should also consider reading with your teen to motivate them and let them know they are not alone.
Learning from books and PDFs will increase your teen’s knowledge and understanding of mental health. Your teen will learn the signs and symptoms, triggers, and treatment methods for various mental health conditions. This information can help your teen understand their own experiences better. It will also teach them how to manage their challenges healthily.
Strategy 14: Healthy Diet
The food we eat directly impacts our moods and brain function. Eating a balanced diet reduces the risk of mental health issues and regulates mood swings in teenagers. As a result, you should encourage your teen to eat a diet rich in different essential nutrients. Give your teen meals rich in fruits, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Ensure your teen maintains proper hydration and limits sugar consumption and work together with your teen to develop meal plans that they enjoy. Also, cook with them to keep them engaged. Maintain open conversations on the relationship between food and mental health. Emphasize how nutrition affects their energy levels and moods.
Remember to inform your teen that proper nutrition can improve their cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are essential for brain development and function. Eating a balanced diet reduces the risk of mental health issues and regulates mood swings in teenagers.
Strategy 15: Sleep Hygiene
Quality sleep is essential for emotional regulation in teenagers. Encourage your teen to adopt healthy sleep hygiene. You can also promote sleep hygiene in your teen by creating a sleep schedule. Establish a safe and quiet environment for sleep, and limit your teen’s screen time, especially before bedtime. Encourage your teen to develop a bedtime routine. Your teen’s bedtime routine should include listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath, or reading. Teach your teen how quality sleep improves their mental health.
Your teen needs adequate rest to improve their brain function and reduce anxiety and stress. It also improves concentration and enhances emotional regulation, enablingthem to cope with their challenges healthily.
Strategy 16: Family Therapy
The last strategy on our list is family therapy. We understand that teenage challenges affect both teens and their families. Teen family therapy is important because it underscores collective healing for the entire family. During a family therapy session at Nexus Teen Academy, a licensed and qualified therapist will facilitate open communication, mutual support, and conflict resolution. All family members need to take part in family therapy and be honest and open.
Family therapy fosters better communication and support. It enables the family to understand the challenges your teen is going through. Family therapy also addresses family dynamics that may cause suicidal thoughts in your teen.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer robust family therapy options as well as weekly family time, and daily family phone calls and Facetime options.
Teen Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts at Nexus Teen Academy
It is important to address suicidal thoughts in your teen for their well-being. Teen suicidal thoughts may come from trauma, broken relationships, family conflicts, and substance abuse. Identifying and recognizing when your teen has self-harm behaviors is the first step to support your teenager. Strategies like mindfulness, journaling, physical exercises, professional help, a healthy diet, and others can help your ten replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.
At Nexus Teen Academy, our clinical team, led by Hannah Carr, has decades of experience working in the teen mental health field. We offer a multi-pronged approach to treatment that includes both evidence-based, holistic, and experiential programming based on your child’s specific needs. To learn more about our offerings, contact our team today and learn how we can support your teen at our teen residential treatment program in Arizona.
Physical activity facilitates the release of endorphins. Endorphins reduce the release of the stress hormone cortisol, thus reducing stress. With less stress, your teen can enjoy quality, adequate sleep. Regular exercise also increases self-esteem, enhances cognitive function, and boosts moods. Physical activity can also divert your teen’s focus from negative thoughts to something positive that is accomplished.
Positive affirmations are statements that reinforce positive beliefs by your teen about themselves. They can help replace your teen’s negative thoughts and build their self-esteem. Examples of positive affirmations include “I am resilient,” “I am awesome,” and “I can deal with this problem.”
You can support your teen by encouraging them to adopt the strategies discussed in this article. Listen actively to your teen share their concerns and validate their feelings even if you do not agree with them. You can also help your teenager by seeking appropriate professional assistance to address their issues.
16 Strategies for Arizona Teens to Replace Suicidal Thoughts with Positivity
Published On May 25, 2024
Table of Contents
Studies show over 12% of teens in the US have serious thoughts of suicide, often due to many mixed feelings and negative emotions. Sometimes, teenagers do not know how to deal with those negative thoughts, and so they develop suicidal thoughts. Although there are self-help strategies that your teen can take part in at home, it is important to seek professional assistance if you suspect that your teen is having suicidal thoughts.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the harmful impacts of teen suicidal thoughts and can help your son or daughter work through these issues. Contact our team today to learn more about our personalized treatment plans and how we can assist.
Understanding Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are also known as suicidal ideation. It involves thinking about and considering suicide by your teenager. Your teen’s thoughts could begin with fleeting considerations and change to detailed planning on how to commit suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Over 100,000, 14-18-year-old teens visited emergency departments for self-harm injuries. These numbers show the importance of immediately dealing with suicidal ideation in your teen.
Common Triggers
Triggers are the factors that can cause suicidal thoughts in your teenager. They include:
Other underlying mental health issues that can also trigger teen suicidal ideation include:
Sometimes, lack of support, feelings of hopelessness, and social isolation can also make these issues more severe. As a parent, you must understand these triggers to support your teen. Ensure you help your teen access early intervention to prevent the adverse effects of suicidal thoughts.
16 Strategies to Replace Suicidal Thoughts with Positive Thoughts
Here are 16 strategies to help you replace suicidal thoughts in your teen with more positive ones.
Strategy 1: Journaling
Encourage your teen to have a journal where they jot down their feelings and thoughts daily. Your teen does not have to follow a specific format. It is better if your teen freely expresses whatever is on their mind. Encourage your teen to write about specific situations that triggered negative thoughts during the day, describe their emotions for that day, and write about the experiences they enjoyed most. You can suggest prompts such as “What made you grateful today?” or “What made you feel so sad?” to your teen.
Journaling will help your teen process their emotions and identify negative thought patterns. They will better understand their thoughts if they write them down and reflect upon them. Journaling makes your teen self-aware, allowing them to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It also helps your teen express the thoughts they might not be willing to share with others, reducing the negative effects these can have.
Strategy 2: Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a technique that your teen can incorporate into their daily routine. You can guide your teen through simple exercises like body scans or focused breathing. After that, you can introduce your teen to structured meditation practices. Your teen can also use apps like Calm or Headspace for guidance in mindfulness. You should encourage your teen to take a few minutes every day to practice mindfulness meditation in a comfortable and quiet place.
Mindfulness meditation enables your teen to develop emotional regulation skills which help reduce anxiety and help your teen be present in the moment. Mindfulness meditation also reduces negative thoughts and helps your teen develop a more balanced perspective. Research shows regular meditation promotes inner peace, increases self-awareness, and improves mood. These can reduce the risk of suicidal ideation in your teen.
Strategy 3: Physical Activity
Physical activity, like yoga, cycling, walking, sports, gym, or dancing, is another important strategy that can help your teen. Encourage your teen to take part in the physical activities they prefer and enjoy. Community centers, schools, and local gyms offer good activities that your teen can enroll in.
Physical activity facilitates the release of endorphins which are natural mood lifters that reduce stress hormones like cortisol and improve mood. Regular exercise can help your teen manage depression and anxiety. This will increase your teen’s self-esteem and mental well-being. Accomplishments from physical activities will also boost your teen’s confidence and reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Strategy 4: Gratitude Practice
Encourage your teen to incorporate gratitude in their daily journaling practice. Tell them to list five or ten things they are thankful for daily. They can share the list with their family or friends if comfortable, but Don’t pressure your teen to share their list with you.
Thinking about what they are thankful for shifts your ten’s thoughts to positive ones. This change can help your teen identify, recognize, and appreciate good things in their lives. Focusing on the good things will make your teen’s brain more frequently rewire to focus on positive experiences. This will foster an optimistic mindset and reduce the prevalence of negative thoughts in your teen.
Strategy 5: Creative Outlets
It is important to identify creative ways for your teen to express their feelings and thoughts. Art, music, yoga, painting, drawing, or any other creative activity can help them avoid negative thoughts. Allow your teen some private space to make them comfortable freely expressing their feelings and thoughts. You can also enroll them in workshops or art classes for consistency.
Creative outlets provide a safe and healthy channel for your teen to express their feelings. These activities allow your teen to channel their thoughts into tangible things, which can be healing and cathartic. Creative activities will distract your teen from negative thoughts and give them a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
Strategy 6: Positive Affirmations
Positive self-talk can also help your teen replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Your teen can create a list of affirmations that they resonate with. These may include “I am worth more,” “I love myself,” or “I am capable of doing this.” Encourage them to write these affirmations on sticky notes and put them around their room or in their journal where they can see them daily.
Positive self-talk will boost your teen’s confidence and self-esteem. It will also help your teen develop a positive mindset and resilience, allowing them to approach challenges optimistically. Encourage your teen to be consistent with daily positive affirmations. Reminding themselves of their worth will rewire their brains to focus more on positivity and replace negative thoughts that can lead to suicidal ideation.
Strategy 7: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a proven therapeutic intervention that helps teens with suicidal thoughts by identifying and changing their negative thought patterns. During a CBT session, a qualified therapist will guide your teen to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones. Your teen can also access CBT information in self-help books and other online resources.
CBT has a list of benefits that addresses the root cause of negative thoughts. As a result, it helps your teen develop more positive and healthier thoughts. By enabling your teen to identify distorted thoughts, CBT allows your teen to develop constructive ways of addressing emotional pain. It also reduces stress and equips your teen with healthy coping mechanisms.
Strategy 8: Apps for Mental Health
Apps such as MoodPath, Calm, Headspace, and MindDoc are some of the best mental health apps for your teenager. They offer therapeutic exercises, guided meditation, and mood tracking. Encourage your teen to interact with these apps every day to get their benefits. Do not forget to inform your teen of the dangers of excessive screen time. Advise them to set aside a few minutes to use these apps for their well-being.
One advantage of these apps is that they offer mental health resources on the go. Your teen will get guided practices, educational resources, and immediate support These apps will help your teen manage depression, anxiety, and stress and reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.
Strategy 9: Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are good for relaxing the mind and body muscles. Different exercises like box breathing, deep breathing, and the 4-7-8 method can help your teenager manage their distressing emotions. Box breathing involves your teen inhaling for four seconds, holding their breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding their breath again for four seconds. Deep breathing, on the other hand, involves your teen taking a deep breath through their nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly through their mouth.
These exercises promote relaxation and help to reduce stress. Encourage your teen to practice breathing exercises regularly to develop stronger emotional regulation skills for their mental well-being.
Strategy 10: Peer Support Groups
Teenagers enjoy being in the company of their peers, especially if they go through similar challenges. Enroll your teen in peer support groups to connect them with their peers. This will allow your teen to share their feelings and thoughts in a supportive and understanding environment. You can find peer support groups in the community, schools, or online forums. Encourage your teen to take part in these sessions and share with their peers. Sharing will give your teen a sense of belonging.
Your teen may also receive invaluable insights from their peers. Sharing in a group setting reduces the risk of isolation, a common cause of suicidal ideation. Your teen may also receive validation and comfort from sharing with their peers. Listening to people with similar challenges share their experiences will help your teen know they are not alone. This will motivate them to deal with their challenges in a healthy manner.
Strategy 11: Volunteering
Volunteer work can keep your teen engaged and divert their thoughts to whatever they are doing. Encourage your teen to volunteer in community service projects, work, or school. Your teen can also volunteer to do some chores at home. Work with your teen to identify local resources such as food banks, environmental groups, or animal shelters where your teen can volunteer to do some roles. Encourage them to give back to their community consistently.
Giving back through volunteer work will give your teen a sense of purpose in helping others. This can be a powerful tool to change negative thoughts into more positive ones. It also exposes your teen to opportunities for social interaction with peers and other members of the society. This can boost your teen’s moods, reinforce a positive self-image, and reduce feelings of helplessness.
Strategy 12: Professional Counseling
If your teen’s condition is severe, do not hesitate to seek professional assistance. Look for a licensed and qualified therapist or teen mental health treatment program that can help your teen. Finding a qualified counselor or therapist can be challenging and needs more research. Look through the Arizona Department of Health Services website, reputable mental health facilities like Nexus Teen Academy, or schools. The therapist will guide you on whether your teen should engage in individual, group, or family therapy. Ensure your teen undertakes tailored therapy to address their unique needs and preferences.
Professional counseling can help your teen develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage trauma. It will also enable them develop resilience to deal with distressing emotions. Therapy will also address your teen’s underlying mental health issues that may increase the risk of suicidal ideation.
Strategy 13: Educational Resources
In addition to the strategies above, your teen can enrich themselves with educational resources on mental health. These can help your teen can learn how to deal with suicidal thoughts. Look for materials that cover topics such as emotional regulation, mental health disorders, and stress management. You should also consider reading with your teen to motivate them and let them know they are not alone.
Learning from books and PDFs will increase your teen’s knowledge and understanding of mental health. Your teen will learn the signs and symptoms, triggers, and treatment methods for various mental health conditions. This information can help your teen understand their own experiences better. It will also teach them how to manage their challenges healthily.
Strategy 14: Healthy Diet
The food we eat directly impacts our moods and brain function. Eating a balanced diet reduces the risk of mental health issues and regulates mood swings in teenagers. As a result, you should encourage your teen to eat a diet rich in different essential nutrients. Give your teen meals rich in fruits, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Ensure your teen maintains proper hydration and limits sugar consumption and work together with your teen to develop meal plans that they enjoy. Also, cook with them to keep them engaged. Maintain open conversations on the relationship between food and mental health. Emphasize how nutrition affects their energy levels and moods.
Remember to inform your teen that proper nutrition can improve their cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are essential for brain development and function. Eating a balanced diet reduces the risk of mental health issues and regulates mood swings in teenagers.
Strategy 15: Sleep Hygiene
Quality sleep is essential for emotional regulation in teenagers. Encourage your teen to adopt healthy sleep hygiene. You can also promote sleep hygiene in your teen by creating a sleep schedule. Establish a safe and quiet environment for sleep, and limit your teen’s screen time, especially before bedtime. Encourage your teen to develop a bedtime routine. Your teen’s bedtime routine should include listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath, or reading. Teach your teen how quality sleep improves their mental health.
Your teen needs adequate rest to improve their brain function and reduce anxiety and stress. It also improves concentration and enhances emotional regulation, enablingthem to cope with their challenges healthily.
Strategy 16: Family Therapy
The last strategy on our list is family therapy. We understand that teenage challenges affect both teens and their families. Teen family therapy is important because it underscores collective healing for the entire family. During a family therapy session at Nexus Teen Academy, a licensed and qualified therapist will facilitate open communication, mutual support, and conflict resolution. All family members need to take part in family therapy and be honest and open.
Family therapy fosters better communication and support. It enables the family to understand the challenges your teen is going through. Family therapy also addresses family dynamics that may cause suicidal thoughts in your teen.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer robust family therapy options as well as weekly family time, and daily family phone calls and Facetime options.
Teen Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts at Nexus Teen Academy
It is important to address suicidal thoughts in your teen for their well-being. Teen suicidal thoughts may come from trauma, broken relationships, family conflicts, and substance abuse. Identifying and recognizing when your teen has self-harm behaviors is the first step to support your teenager. Strategies like mindfulness, journaling, physical exercises, professional help, a healthy diet, and others can help your ten replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.
At Nexus Teen Academy, our clinical team, led by Hannah Carr, has decades of experience working in the teen mental health field. We offer a multi-pronged approach to treatment that includes both evidence-based, holistic, and experiential programming based on your child’s specific needs. To learn more about our offerings, contact our team today and learn how we can support your teen at our teen residential treatment program in Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
The common signs of suicidal thoughts in your teen include:
Some of the effective mindfulness techniques that can help your teen who has self-harm behaviors include:
Physical activity facilitates the release of endorphins. Endorphins reduce the release of the stress hormone cortisol, thus reducing stress. With less stress, your teen can enjoy quality, adequate sleep. Regular exercise also increases self-esteem, enhances cognitive function, and boosts moods. Physical activity can also divert your teen’s focus from negative thoughts to something positive that is accomplished.
Positive affirmations are statements that reinforce positive beliefs by your teen about themselves. They can help replace your teen’s negative thoughts and build their self-esteem. Examples of positive affirmations include “I am resilient,” “I am awesome,” and “I can deal with this problem.”
You can support your teen by encouraging them to adopt the strategies discussed in this article. Listen actively to your teen share their concerns and validate their feelings even if you do not agree with them. You can also help your teenager by seeking appropriate professional assistance to address their issues.