Mighty Parenting Tackles: A Simple Path to Suicide Prevention | Judy Davis and Sandy Fowler | Episode 33

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, so Mighty Parenting is tackling this big topic in a relatable way. Podcast hosts, Judy Davis and Sandy Fowler, have an open and honest discussion about suicide prevention. Starting with a look at what’s happening and why, along with ideas for helping our kids and our community. They share an inside look at the world of teen suicide then share a simple path to suicide prevention. While a simple path may seem overly optimistic, it is real. There are things each of us can do, simple things, things we do now but with a different focus, things that we want to do anyway, things that can save lives. Since part of what is needed is community discussion, please share this episode with a friend and with a family member. Allow it to help start discussions and change the world one talk at a time.

A Favorite Quote from the Show:

To get in front of the suicide crisis, we need to educate ourselves, start talking, and support each other.

High points from the discussion about suicide prevention:

There is a suicide epidemic happening with our teenagers. They are living in a state of hopelessness and see suicide as the only answer.

The CDC tells us that, on average, 3041 teens in grades 9-12 attempt suicide every day. 4061 lives are lost in a year.

As a parent, this is scary and we don’t even know what to do so we let ourselves believe that it can’t be our kid, their friend, or someone in our family.

Suicide is happening to teens from every walk of life no matter the race, gender, or socio-economic background.

Judy’s son attempted suicide multiple times, but she didn’t know until 2012 when the crisis center called her to say her son was in trouble. She had no idea that her son was in so much pain, and neither did anyone else. He showed the world a mask—a different, happy version of himself. He had friends, did well in school, and appeared to be fine, but he wasn’t.

Teens in pain will often wear a mask. They hide behind expressions, words, and lies that the world wants to see so no one knows the pain they are experiencing.

They often believe there is something wrong with them and that they are alone, or have to solve their problems alone.

Building our relationship with our child helps them to know they are not alone.

Culturally there are issues that make life hard for our kids:

• They have difficulty picking up the cues that someone is paying attention.
• Social media reinforces the messages of “There’s something wrong with me” or “I’m not good enough”.
• They don’t know how to simply be present and relax.
• They feel like they don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Suicide ideation is a problem that can be solved.

Our kids experience world-wide competition. Instead of competing with just the kids in their neighborhood or school, they are competing with the whole world. It reinforces the belief that they are not good enough. (We talked about this on episode

What parents can do:

• Open our eyes and be willing to accept suicide is an issue and it could be someone we know
• Get rid of the myths and stigma’s around mental health and suicide
• Have conversations and share stories around mental and emotional wellness and even suicide
• Give the same support to people for mental and emotional health issues that we provide for physical issues and illnesses

There are many levels of problems in mental health from what to do when your feelings get hurt all the way up to suicide ideation.

To get in front of the suicide crisis we need to educate ourselves, start talking, and support each other.

Knowing you aren’t the only one feeling that way is extremely important for mental and behavioral health. Sharing our stories is key in doing that.

If you are with someone who is in danger call 911. If you are with someone who is experiencing extreme emotions or feelings they don’t know what to do with, they can text 741741 or call 800-273-TALK. You can sit with them while they call or even call to ask how to help someone you are with.

You can start educating yourself at DASIUM.net as well as get Warning Signs: The Parenting Guide for Determining if Your Teen is At Risk for Depression, Addiction, or Suicide.

Hosts of the Mighty Parenting Podcast:

Judy Davis, aka The Direction Diva, is a sought after motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author and host of the Mighty Parenting Podcast. She is a small business and teen suicide prevention expert as well as an influencer in the military spouse community. Judy is passionate about providing programs and resources to families across the nation and is the CEO of DASIUM – a brand leading the way in depression, addiction and suicide prevention in teens and young adults.

A recipient of the 2016 Dove Real Beauty Award, Judy has also been quoted, featured, and profiled in a variety of publications and interviews including Smart Money Magazine, Hiring America TV, The Jim Bohannan show, Dr. Laura Berman Show, and more. She is regularly featured as a parenting and military lifestyle expert/guest on radio shows and panels highlighting the challenges and issues facing families today.

Sandy Fowler is a wife, mom, and business owner whose passion is teaching people to make powerful choices that impact their lives and businesses in the best way. At DASIUM, she guides parents and organizations in preventing depression, addiction, and suicide in teens and young adults. At Mighty Parenting, she helps parents learn skills that help them create an emotionally healthy family. And at Simple Strategies, she walks people through the process of identifying and quantifying their highest priorities then making them front and center in their life.

She has been quoted on Lifetimemoms.com and SheKnows.com, featured in a cover story in the Detroit Free Press Twist Magazine, published in Mompreneur magazine and the Clarkston News. Sandy is a co-creator of The Keys to Getting What You Want: 4 Little Known Communication Secrets, and the creator of the Calendar Magic coaching program. She authored two books that use her principles to guide moms through the holiday season. You can connect with her at SandyFowler.com.

To learn more or connect with our guests, visit DASIUM.net

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