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We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

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The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

About The Lifeline

Anyone could be struggling with suicide. Find more specific resources below.

I'm Struggling With Individuals with Neurodivergence

We understand that every struggle is different. Experience the stories of people like you, and how they overcame crisis to find hope and recovery.
read stories of hope & recovery

First, you'll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline network crisis center.

We'll play you a little music while we connect you to a skilled, trained crisis worker.

A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone.

This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.

988 Lifeline Center calls are free and confidential, and we're available 24/7.

Show What Happens When You Call The Lifeline

Everyone Plays A Role In Suicide Prevention

Get in touch

Call the Lifeline

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Skip to main content We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. 988 ¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!

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Crisis Lines
Humboldt Youth Services Bureau Crisis Line
707-444-2273 24/7
Humboldt County Mental Health Crisis Line
(707) 445-7715 or (888) 849-5728

24/7 crisis line
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services (WellSpace Health)
1-800-273-8255 or (916)368-3111 or 1-800-SUICIDE
http://suicideprevention.wellspacehealth.org Institute on Aging Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention Friendship Line
(415) 752-3778 or (800) 971-0016
www.ioaging.org/services-for-elders-and-care-givers/friendship-line
Provides 24/7 crisis intervention and emotional support to older adults who are depressed, bereaved, or lonely.
Student Mental Health--University/College Services
Humboldt State University Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) for students and for faculty members or staff concerned about an HSU student CAPS offers support and crisis intervention 24/7 707-826-3236
The Trevor Project: LGBTQI suicide prevention
866-488-7386

Workgroup
Superior Region Suicide Prevention Network
This network serves counties in the Superior Region with support from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)(http://www.calmhsa.org). With representatives from colleges, school districts, community and faith-based groups, municipal agencies, and medical centers, the Network comes up with concrete steps to reduce the risk of suicide and shares best practices with others across the State. The Network also identifies gaps in services and populations that have been overlooked and under-served.

Programs
Grief Support
Hospice of Humboldt
707-445-8443 or www.hospiceofhumboldt.org
Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice, Garberville
707-923-7276
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter
707-444-1600 - message only
http://www.nami-humboldt.org/
NAMI Humboldt County is a grassroots, family and consumer self-help support and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. E-mail: [email protected]
Humboldt County Health & Human Services Suicide Prevention Program
Information, Referral, Outreach, Education Trainings: Question ~ Persuade ~ Refer Suicide Prevention Free. Can be tailored to community groups and organizations.
ASIST ~ Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 2-Day Intensive, interactive training
Community Wellness Center 707-441-5554
Seeds of Understanding Speakers Collective
Local speakers who are ready and willing to share their stories to promote healing, help-seeking, public education, and increase understanding.
Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services 707-268-2132

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Suicide Prevention Awareness | Know the Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior

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Although the warning signs of suicide can be subtle, they are there. By recognizing these signs, knowing how to start a conversation and where to turn for help, you have the power to make a difference - the power to save a life.

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Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.

We Believe

Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.

Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others.

By offering immediate counseling to everyone that may need it, local crisis centers provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.

Know the Risk Factors

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.

Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders

Alcohol and other substance use disorders

Hopelessness

Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

History of trauma or abuse

Major physical illnesses

Previous suicide attempt(s)

Family history of suicide

Job or financial loss

Loss of relationship(s)

Easy access to lethal means

Local clusters of suicide

Lack of social support and sense of isolation

Stigma associated with asking for help

Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment

Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Know the Warning Signs

Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.

Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

Talking about being a burden to others

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

Sleeping too little or too much

Withdrawing or isolating themselves

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

Extreme mood swings

Get in touch

Call the Lifeline

Read Stories Of Hope & Recovery
Get stories from people who have been through a crisis and found hope.

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Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide. Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.

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Learning the warning signs of suicide is a huge part of preventing a crisis.

Learning the warning signs of suicide is a huge part of preventing a crisis. Although emotional ups and downs are normal, sometimes a person who is suicidal gives certain signs or hints that something is wrong. Knowing these major warning signs can help you connect someone you care about to support if they need it - even if that person is yourself.
Have you or someone you know felt...? Do you or someone you know...?

Not care about their future: "It won't matter soon anyway."

Put themselves down - and think they deserve it: "I don't deserve to live. I suck."

Express hopelessness: "Things will never get better for me."

Say goodbye to important people: "You're the best friend I've ever had. I'll miss you."

Have a specific plan for suicide: "I've thought about how I'd do it."

Talk about feeling suicidal: "LIfe is so hard. Lately I've felt like ending it all."

Have you or someone you know been...?

Using drugs or alcohol more than usual

Acting differently than usual

Giving away their most valuable possessions

Losing interest in their favorite things to do

Admiring people who have died by suicide

Planning for death by writing a will or letter

Eating or sleeping more or less than usual

Feeling more sick, tired or achy than usual

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you are not alone. We are here for you 24/7 on the Trevor Lifeline (1-866-488-7386) - that means all day and night, every weekend, each holiday, and beyond.

If you recognize these signs in someone you know, encourage them to ask for help. If they need support, empower them to call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 to talk with a trained volunteer counselor. Trevor is here 24/7 - that means all day and night, every weekend, and every holiday.

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Warning Signs of Suicide - The Trevor Project

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Learning the warning signs of suicide is a huge part of preventing a crisis. Learning the warning signs of suicide is a huge part of preventing a crisis. Although emotional ups and downs are normal, sometimes a person who is suicidal gives certain signs or hints that something is wrong.

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If you are concerned about someone, ask yourself the following questions. Has your friend or family member shown or shared any of the following:

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

HOW TO RESPOND

If you know someone who has any of the warning signs, there are things that you can do to help:

1. Ask them if they are okay and listen to them like a true friend.

2. Tell them you are worried and concerned about them and that they are not alone.

3. Talk to an adult you trust about your concerns and direct the adult to this page.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS? Click here to find out...

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If you are concerned about someone, ask yourself the following questions. Has your friend or family member shown or shared any of the following: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP HOW TO RESPOND If you know someone who has any of the warning signs, there are things that you can do to help: 1.

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If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Directory

The 988 Lifeline is available for everyone, is free, and confidential. See below for additional crisis services and hotlines.

What Happens When I Call The 988 Lifeline?

First, you'll hear a message telling you that you've reached the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

To preview that message, click here.

We'll play you a little hold music while we connect you.

A skilled, trained crisis worker who works at the 988 Lifeline network crisis center closest to you will answer the phone.

This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.

To read a more detailed explanation of what happens when you call the 988 Lifeline, and more, click here.

Remember, your call is confidential and free.

Should I Call The 988 Lifeline?

No matter what problems you're dealing with, whether or not you're thinking about suicide, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call the 988 Lifeline.

People call to talk about lots of things: substance abuse, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and loneliness, to name a few.

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life.

Get in touch

Call the Lifeline

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If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

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Crisis Text Line | Text HOME To 741741 free, 24/7 Crisis Counseling

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Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. We're here for everything: anxiety, depression, suicide, school. Text HOME to 741741.

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The five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention.

Ask

How - Asking the question "Are you thinking about suicide?" communicates that you're open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way. Asking in this direct, unbiased manner, can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. Other questions you can ask include, "How do you hurt?" and "How can I help?" Do not ever promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret.

The flip side of the "Ask" step is to "Listen." Make sure you take their answers seriously and not to ignore them, especially if they indicate they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Listening to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, as well as listening for any potential reasons they want to continue to stay alive, are both incredibly important when they are telling you what's going on. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.

Why - Studies show that if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. In fact, studies suggest the opposite: findings suggest may in fact suicidal ideation.

Be There

How - This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk. An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through with the ways in which you say you'll be able to support the person - do not commit to anything you are not willing or able to accomplish. If you are unable to be physically present with someone with thoughts of suicide, talk with them to develop some ideas for others who might be able to help as well (again, only others who are willing, able, and appropriate to be there). Listening is again very important during this step - find out what and who they believe will be the most effective sources of help.

Why - Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is life-saving. Increasing someone's to others and limiting their isolation (both in the short and long-term) has shown to be a protective factor against suicide. Thomas Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide highlights connectedness as one of its main components - specifically, a low sense of belonging. When someone experiences this state, paired with perceived burdonsomeness (arguably tied to "connectedness" through isolating behaviors and lack of a sense of purpose) and acquired capability (a lowered fear of death and habituated experiences of violence), their risk can become severely elevated.

In the Three-Step Theory (or more commonly known as the Ideation-to-Action Framework), David Klonsky and Alexis May also theorize that "connectedness" is a key protective factor, not only against suicide as a whole, but in terms of the escalation of thoughts of suicide to action. Their research has also shown connectedness acts as a buffer against hopelessness and psychological pain.

By "being there," we have a chance to alleviate or eliminate some of these significant factors.

Help Keep Them Safe

How - First of all, it's good for everyone to be on the same page. After the "Ask" step, and you've determined suicide is indeed being talked about, it's important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. Have they already done anything to try to kill themselves before talking with you? Does the person experiencing thoughts of suicide know how they would kill themselves? Do they have a specific, detailed plan? What's the timing for their plan? What sort of access do they have to their planned method?

Why - Knowing the answers to each of these questions can tell us a lot about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in. For instance, the more steps and pieces of a plan that are in place, the higher their severity of risk and their capability to enact their plan might be. Or if they have immediate access to a firearm and are very serious about attempting suicide, then extra steps (like calling for emergency help or driving them to an emergency department) might be necessary. The Lifeline can always act as a resource during these moments as well if you aren't entirely sure what to do next.

The notes that reducing a suicidal person's access to highly lethal means (or chosen method for a suicide attempt) is an important part of suicide prevention. A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline. Research also shows that "method substitution" or choosing an alternate method when the original method is restricted, frequently does not happen. The myth "If someone really wants to kill themselves, they'll find a way to do it" often does not hold true if appropriate safety measures are put into place. The Help Keep Them Safe step is really about showing support for someone during the times when they have thoughts of suicide by putting time and distance between the person and their chosen method, especially methods that have shown higher lethality (like firearms and medications).

Help Them Connect

How - Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports (like the 988 Lifeline) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety net might be connecting them with supports and resources in their communities. Explore some of these possible supports with them - are they currently seeing a mental health professional? Have they in the past? Is this an option for them currently? Are there other mental health resources in the community that can effectively help?

One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them identify if they start to experience significant, severe thoughts of suicide along with what to do in those crisis moments. A safety plan can also include a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs.

Why - found that individuals that called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by the end of calls handled by Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training-trained counselors. These improvements were linked to ASIST-related counselor interventions, including listening without judgment, exploring reasons for living and creating a network of support.

Follow Up

How - After your initial contact with a person experiencing thoughts of suicide, and after you've connected them with the immediate support systems they need, make sure to follow-up with them to see how they're doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call. The follow-up step is a great time to check in with them to see if there is more you are capable of helping with or if there are things you've said you would do and haven't yet had the chance to get done for the person.

Why - This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of connectedness and share your ongoing support. There is evidence that even a simple form of reaching out, , can potentially reduce their risk for suicide.

Studies have shown a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide when with high risk populations after they were discharge from acute care services. Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and may be an important part of suicide prevention. Please visit our page for more.
Share the #BeThe1To steps in your community. Find out how. For more information, press/media inquiries, or partnership opportunities, please contact Hannah Collins at hcollins@vibrant.org.

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How The 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who is Suicidal - #BeThe1To

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En Español The five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention. Ask How - Asking the question "Are you thinking about suicide?" communicates that you're open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way.

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Help someone that may be thinking of suicide with these 5 steps.

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The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives

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The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor. Free and confidential.

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National Institute of Mental Health

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Esta página también está disponible en español.

If You Know Someone in Crisis

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line ( text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend's social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline's website or the Crisis Text Line's website.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends, with qualified, caring Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone or send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You can also start a confidential online chat session at Veterans Crisis Chat.

Introduction

Suicide is a major public health concern. In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.

Signs and Symptoms

Risk Factors

Treatments and Therapies

Ongoing Research

Latest News
More

Learn More

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Esta página también está disponible en español . Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) , or text the Crisis Text Line ( text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential.

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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Learn about suicide, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our mission: save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. Suicide is more than a mental health concern.
A CDC study showed that a range of factors contribute to suicide among those with and without known mental health conditions. Everyone can help prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs and where to get help.

Suicide is a public health problem because of its far-reaching effects:

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019.

In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a planned suicide attempt, and 1.4 million attempted suicide.

People who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence are at higher risk for suicide.

Suicide prevention is everyone's business. You can #BeThereexternal icon and #BeThe1Toexternal icon help a friend, loved one, or coworker. Everyone can learn the warning signs and how to get help.

Individual, relationship, community, and societal factors may influence the risk of suicide. Know the suicide warning signs including:

Feeling like a burden

Being isolated

Increased anxiety

Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

Increased substance use

Looking for a way to access lethal means

Increased anger or rage

Extreme mood swings

Expressing hopelessness

Sleeping too little or too much

Talking or posting about wanting to die

Making plans for suicide

Safeguard the people in your life from the risk of suicide and support them:

Ask.

Keep them safe.

Be there.

Help them connect. You can start with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).

Follow up.

Find out how these actions can save a life by visiting www.BeThe1To.comexternal icon .
Everyone can play a part in preventing suicide!

Page last reviewed:

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Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. Suicide is more than a mental health concern. A recent CDC study showed that a range of factors contribute to suicide among those with and without known mental health conditions.

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NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Helping Those In Need

NAMI started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

gathered around a kitchen table

NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates across the country

NAMI HelpLine transitions to

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Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

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Mental Health Services

Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline

Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline is an immediate and consistent support for individuals in crisis or experiencing a suicidal crisis. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is confidential and free.

The trained staff and volunteers conduct the following:

Save the caller and offers immediate support

Develop a safety plan for the caller

Reach out to callers with post crisis follow-up to ensure that they are safe and getting the help the caller may need.

The Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline is located in Fresno and serves the following five counties: Fresno, Kings, Merced, Mariposa and Stanislaus.

CVSPH is funded by the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63). It is one of several Initiatives implemented by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of California counties working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

For more information call:
(559) 256-7602
Hotline: 1-888-506-5991

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Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline | Kings View

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Mental Health Services Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline is an immediate and consistent support for individuals in crisis or experiencing a suicidal crisis. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is confidential and free.

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Risk and Protective Factors | Suicide Prevention Resource Center

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The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is supported by a grant (1 U79 SM062297) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). No official endorsement by SAMHSA or DHHS for the information on this website is intended or should be inferred.

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Some factors do exist that may put people at a higher risk for suicide. The presence of a single risk factor doesn't necessarily mean that a person is at high risk of suicide, but a number of risk factors together should signal concern. In addition, the presence of depression or bipolar disorder, hopelessness, and/or substance abuse, in combination with other risk factors, increases an individual's risk of suicide significantly.

Risk Factors

Previous suicide attempt(s)

Mental disorders-particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders

Co-occurring mental and alcohol and substance abuse disorders

Family history of suicide

Hopelessness, thoughts and feelings of being a burden to others

Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

Barriers to accessing mental health treatment when it is needed

Relational, social, work, or financial loss

Major physical illness

Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns

Lack of connectedness, social support, or a sense of isolation

Substance abuse

History of trauma or abuse, particularly sexual abuse

Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

Losing a loved one to suicide

Bullying, harassment, or victimization by peers

Persistent serious family conflict

Protective Factors

While the presence of multiple risk factors can put someone at a higher risk for suicide, the presence of multiple protective factors can help reduce risk of suicidal behavior. The more protective qualities a person has, the lower their risk for suicide.

Strong problem solving skills

Positive self-image

Spiritual life/faith

Close family relationships

Strong peer support systems

Involvement in hobbies or activities

Community connectedness

Access to treatment

Restricted access to means

Source: 13Minutes.org, Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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Suicide Risk & Protective Factors - The Kim Foundation

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Some factors do exist that may put people at a higher risk for suicide. The presence of a single risk factor doesn't necessarily mean that a person is at high risk of suicide, but a number of risk factors together should signal concern.

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Why (and How!) You Need to Pen in Self-Care

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Learn what self care actually means plus ways you can prioritize it.

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You have likely heard about the importance of self-care and some ways to practice it. Every adult should practice self-care to give themselves a break from their hectic lives, refresh, and take care of themselves mentally, emotionally, and physically ( be sure to read our blog about this!). While we all know that self-care is important for adults, it is also important for kiddos!

While your child likely does not deal with as much stress during a day at preschool as you do, self-care is still beneficial and important for them to practice. When you teach your child about self-care at a young age, it will teach them to prioritize their mental and physical health, now and as they age. According to a Parents article, when you introduce your kiddos to these habits of caring for themselves, it can help them learn how to deal with stressors in the future and reduces their risk of developing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression!

At Growing Kids Learning Centers in Northern Indiana, we understand the importance of implementing these types of things when a child is young. As your kiddo develops, they will learn skills that they will carry throughout their adult life, including skills for caring for their own wellbeing. In this blog, we are going to go over some tips that can help you teach your child about self-care. Read on to learn more and start practicing together!

Teach Basic Skills

Start by teaching your child basic skills they need to follow to keep themselves healthy. From personal hygiene to diet, you can start teaching these things at a young age. If you are feeding your kiddo healthy foods, giving them baths, and helping them brush their teeth, you are helping them to develop a foundation for taking care of themselves as they grow. These are things that your child will have to learn how to do eventually and if you work with them early on, you can help them develop healthy habits. While these may not seem like huge self-care habits, they are some of the most important and they show your child that you have to take care of yourself to keep yourself healthy.

Work on the Mind

Nowadays, kids often get lost watching episodes of their favorite TV show, playing video games, or consuming too much screen time. While technology is a huge part of the future and your child's life, you should also encourage them to nourish the mind and get away from the TV or tablet for a while. Buy toys that get your child to think, allow them to practice imaginative play, or work on some crafts. These all can help them develop different skills and allow them to work things through in their minds. Take it a step further and have them practice yoga or something else that helps them get in touch with their inner selves with you. This is a great way to help them gain insight and awareness.

Talk About Emotions

A huge part of self-care revolves around mental health and emotions. While talking to your toddler about emotions will be different than talking to a teenager about emotions, it is a great way to help them develop the right skills to identify and manage their emotions. When your child has a tantrum or is feeling sad, help them talk about their emotions and figure out ways to manage them. Many adults do not know how to manage their emotions and may not even know how to properly identify them, which can lead to problems of their own. By helping your kiddo better understand their emotions, they can understand how to handle them, even as an adult. This is a great way to practice self-care and get in touch with their emotions.

Get Active

Exercise is a great self-care habit that is easy to teach your child. While it is unlikely that you will bring your toddler to the gym and teach them how to lift weights, there are so many ways you can encourage an active lifestyle. Play soccer or basketball with them, bring them to the park, go on bike rides, go for long walks, do yoga, the list goes on and on. When you live an active lifestyle, you are more likely to be healthier mentally, physically, and emotionally. Help your children learn that being active can help them destress and feel better. They will carry this into their future.

Allow For Downtime

Don't teach your child that downtime is bad. Sometimes the best self-care practice is doing nothing. Especially in the fast-paced lives we live as adults, sometimes all we need is a break from it all to do absolutely nothing. Allow for your kiddos to have some downtime, whether that means just cuddling with them on the couch for a few minutes, reading to them, or sitting outside and watching the clouds float by. Teaching your child that it is okay to take some downtime and that it can help them slow down their busy lives when they become adults.

Spend Time Together

Spending time with loved ones is not only a great self-care act for adults, but also for children! Make it a habit of spending some quality time with your children every week and doing something fun. Get some ice cream, play a silly game, or do some other fun activity. Not only can it work as a self-care practice, but it can also help you bond with your child!

Get Outside

Spending time outside can help you and your kiddos refresh and is another great self-care practice. Spend time outside with your kiddos whenever you can. Have fun outdoor adventures that allow them to explore and enjoy time outside. By making the outdoors a major part of your family life, you can help your child develop a love for it and use it as a self-care tactic as they grow.

There are many ways to teach your child self-care and to practice with them! By teaching your children self-care at a young age, you can help them develop these important habits as they age and become adults.

If you are interested in our learning center, be sure to contact us today! We have multiple programs that help kids to learn and develop skills they will use throughout the rest of their lives. Get started and enroll your child at one of the Growing Kids Learning Centers across Northern Indiana!

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You have likely heard about the importance of self-care and some ways to practice it. Every adult should practice self-care to give themselves a break from their hectic lives, refresh, and take care of themselves mentally, emotionally, and physically ( be sure to read our blog about this!).

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Self-care is a term that has been gaining increased popularity in the past few years. If you Google "self-care", you will be greeted with lists of activities that you can do. Many of the ideas are focused on taking care of your physical needs including sleep, diet, and exercise. Others will aim to improve your mental health with journaling, going to therapy, and taking mental health days. These ideas are helpful to get you started with a self-care regimen.

A valuable question to ask yourself when you are doing anything is are you doing it? What is the purpose or function of this behavior? Friedrich Nietzsche is credited with saying:

"He (or she) who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." By understanding the purpose behind self care, it becomes easier to utilize it to your benefit. One of the main purposes of self-care is to give yourself what you need in the present moment.

There are many aspects in each of our lives that impact us. When focusing on this purpose of self-care, it is important to check in with each of the domains of wellness. Some of the domains to check in with include: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, financial, environmental, and spiritual. Looking at how you are doing in each of these areas can allow you to better understand what you most need in the current moment. It is expected for the health in each of these areas to fluctuate regularly and for the self-care activities to change. For example, at times my social health needs may be high and it would be beneficial for me to go out and socialize with friends. At other times, I will need a break from socialization and a night alone is the appropriate form of self-care for me at that moment. By reflecting on my needs in the moment, self-care is used to serve me.

One of the forms of self-care I have adopted is to do things I'm procrastinating. For example, I tend to get nervous about calling people on the phone and will try to put it off as long as possible. Often by the time I make the phone call my anxiety is very high. However, when the call ends I feel a sense of relief and accomplishment. By doing the things that scare me, I take care of my mental health. This form of self-care probably won't be found on a list of suggested self-care activities. But, knowing the purpose of self-care, I am able to find activities that will help fulfill needs in the moment. That is why it is important for me to recognize the purpose of self-care and use that to guide my actions.

Self-care is a form of showing yourself love. By checking in with yourself and caring about your needs, you may be better able to accomplish your goals. If you are unsure of where to begin your self-care journey, check in with yourself and look at self-care ideas to decide what needs you have that you can meet in the moment you are in.

By understanding self-care that works for you, you can give yourself what you need in the current moment to show yourself the love and care you deserve.
Know that you are never alone and help is always available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to get connected with a local crisis center.

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Self-care is a term that has been gaining increased popularity in the past few years. If you Google "self-care", you will be greeted with lists of activities that you can do. Many of the ideas are focused on taking care of your physical needs including sleep, diet, and exercise.

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With Thanksgiving approaching, we'll all soon be taking time to acknowledge what we're grateful for. It's a nice gesture, of course, but why do we do it? What good is gratitude?

For more than a decade, I've been studying the effects of gratitude on physical health, on psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others.

© digitalskillet

In a series of studies, my colleagues and I have helped people systematically cultivate gratitude, usually by keeping a "gratitude journal" in which they regularly record the things for which they're grateful. (For a description of this and other ways to cultivate gratitude, click here.)

Gratitude journals and other gratitude practices often seem so simple and basic; in our studies, we often have people keep gratitude journals for just three weeks. And yet the results have been overwhelming. We've studied more than one thousand people, from ages eight to 80, and found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:

Physical
* Stronger immune systems
* Less bothered by aches and pains
* Lower blood pressure
* Exercise more and take better care of their health
* Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

Psychological
* Higher levels of positive emotions
* More alert, alive, and awake
* More joy and pleasure
* More optimism and happiness

Social
* More helpful, generous, and compassionate
* More forgiving
* More outgoing
* Feel less lonely and isolated.

The social benefits are especially significant here because, after all, gratitude is a social emotion. I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we've been supported and affirmed by other people.

Indeed, this cuts to very heart of my definition of gratitude, which has two components. First, it's an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good thing in the world, gifts and benefits we've received. This doesn't mean that life is perfect; it doesn't ignore complaints, burdens, and hassles. But when we look at life as a whole, gratitude encourages us to identify some amount of goodness in our life.

The second part of gratitude is figuring out where that goodness comes from. We recognize the sources of this goodness as being outside of ourselves. It didn't stem from anything we necessarily did ourselves in which we might take pride. We can appreciate positive traits in ourselves, but I think true gratitude involves a humble dependence on others: We acknowledge that other people-or even higher powers, if you're of a spiritual mindset-gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.

So what's really behind our research results-why might gratitude have these transformative effects on people's lives?

I think there are several important reasons, but I want to highlight four in particular.

1. Gratitude allows us to celebrate the present. It magnifies positive emotions.

Research on emotion shows that positive emotions wear off quickly. Our emotional systems like newness. They like novelty. They like change. We adapt to positive life circumstances so that before too long, the new car, the new spouse, the new house-they don't feel so new and exciting anymore.

But gratitude makes us appreciate the value of something, and when we appreciate the value of something, we extract more benefits from it; we're less likely to take it for granted.

In effect, I think gratitude allows us to participate more in life. We notice the positives more, and that magnifies the pleasures you get from life. Instead of adapting to goodness, we celebrate goodness. We spend so much time watching things-movies, computer screens, sports-but with gratitude we become greater participants in our lives as opposed to spectators.

2. Gratitude blocks toxic, negative emotions, such as envy, resentment, regret-emotions that can destroy our happiness. There's even recent evidence, including a 2008 study by psychologist Alex Wood in the Journal of Research in Personality, showing that gratitude can reduce the frequency and duration of episodes of depression.

This makes sense: You cannot feel envious and grateful at the same time. They're incompatible feelings. If you're grateful, you can't resent someone for having something that you don't. Those are very different ways of relating to the world, and sure enough, research I've done with colleagues Michael McCullough and Jo-Ann Tsang has suggested that people who have high levels of gratitude have low levels of resentment and envy.

3. Grateful people are more stress resistant. There's a number of studies showing that in the face of serious trauma, adversity, and suffering, if people have a grateful disposition, they'll recover more quickly. I believe gratitude gives people a perspective from which they can interpret negative life events and help them guard against post-traumatic stress and lasting anxiety.

4. Grateful people have a higher sense of self-worth. I think that's because when you're grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you-someone else has provided for your well-being, or you notice a network of relationships, past and present, of people who are responsible for helping you get to where you are right now.

Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life-once you realize that other people have seen the value in you-you can transform the way you see yourself.
Challenges to gratitude
Just because gratitude is good doesn't mean it's always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies.

© Greg Sargent

One is the "self-serving bias." That means that when good things happen to us, we says it's because of something we did, but when bad things happen, we blame other people or circumstances.

Gratitude really goes against the self-serving bias because when we're grateful, we give credit to other people for our success. We accomplished some of it ourselves, yes, but we widen our range of attribution to also say, "Well, my parents gave me this opportunity." Or, "I had teachers. I had mentors. I had siblings, peers-other people assisted me along the way." That's very different from a self-serving bias.

Gratitude also goes against our need to feel in control of our environment. Sometimes with gratitude you just have to accept life as it is and be grateful for what you have.

Finally, gratitude contradicts the "just-world" hypothesis, which says that we get what we deserve in life. Good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people. But it doesn't always work out that way, does it? Bad things happen to good people and vice versa.

With gratitude comes the realization that we get more than we deserve. I'll never forget the comment by a man at a talk I gave on gratitude. "It's a good thing we don't get what we deserve," he said. "I'm grateful because I get far more than I deserve."

This goes against a message we get a lot in our contemporary culture: that we deserve the good fortune that comes our way, that we're entitled to it. If you deserve everything, if you're entitled to everything, it makes it a lot harder to be grateful for anything.
Cultivating gratitude
Partly because these challenges to gratitude can be so difficult to overcome, I get asked a lot about how we can go beyond just occasionally feeling more grateful to actually becoming a more grateful person.

I detail many steps for cultivating gratitude in my book , and summarize many of them in this Greater Good article. I should add, though, that despite the fact that I've been studying gratitude for 11 years and know all about it, I still find that I have to put a lot of conscious effort into practicing gratitude. In fact, my wife says, "How is it that you're supposed to be this huge expert on gratitude? You're the least grateful person I know!" Well, she has a point because it's easy to lapse into the negativity mindset. But these are some of the specific steps I like to recommend for overcoming the challenges to gratitude.

First is to keep a gratitude journal, as I've had people do in my experiments. This can mean listing just five things for which you're grateful every week. This practice works, I think, because it consciously, intentionally focuses our attention on developing more grateful thinking and on eliminating ungrateful thoughts. It helps guard against taking things for granted; instead, we see gifts in life as new and exciting. I do believe that people who live a life of pervasive thankfulness really do experience life differently than people who cheat themselves out of life by not feeling grateful.

Similarly, another gratitude exercise is to practice counting your blessings on a regular basis, maybe first thing in the morning, maybe in the evening. What are you grateful for today? You don't have to write them down on paper.

You can also use concrete reminders to practice gratitude, which can be particularly effective in working with children, who aren't abstract thinkers like adults are. For instance, I read about a woman in Vancouver whose family developed this practice of putting money in "gratitude jars." At the end of the day, they emptied their pockets and put spare change in those jars. They had a regular reminder, a routine, to get them to focus on gratitude. Then, when the jar became full, they gave the money in it to a needy person or a good cause within their community.

Practices like this can not only teach children the importance of gratitude but can show that gratitude impels people to "pay it forward"-to give to others in some measure like they themselves have received.

Finally, I think it's important to think outside of the box when it comes to gratitude. Mother Theresa talked about how grateful she was to the people she was helping, the sick and dying in the slums of Calcutta, because they enabled her to grow and deepen her spirituality. That's a very different way of thinking about gratitude-gratitude for what we can give as opposed to what we receive. But that can be a very powerful way, I think, of cultivating a sense of gratitude.

Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior?

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With Thanksgiving approaching, we'll all soon be taking time to acknowledge what we're grateful for. It's a nice gesture, of course, but why do we do it? What good is gratitude? For more than a decade, I've been studying the effects of gratitude on physical health, on psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others.

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25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens (+Tips!)

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Fun mindfulness activities for kids to teach them about mindfulness. Enjoy!

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The first blush of the new school year has worn off and stress starts to build up. Is your teenager ready to handle the stress of school deadlines, full schedules and evenings loaded with activities? Even as adults we can find ourselves overwhelmed and often unaware of the toll stress is taking in our life. We need to be ready by keeping a daily self-care routine. And as parents we need to teach our youth how to develop self-care activities into their life. Here are some self-care activities for youth to try out and build into their self-care routine.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is being aware of and attending to one's own needs.

Self-care is recognizing that we have spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs as humans, and we need to be responsible in taking action to care for ourselves.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through a link The Reluctant Cowgirl will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, used toward keeping this blog going. I only recommend products I appreciate and trust. Read all my disclosure here.

More simply put, we need to check in with ourselves and provide those routines that help us to function at our best!

Self-care done well is not selfish. We all have responsibilities and jobs we are required to do. But in order to do our jobs we have to be working well. And in order to keep plowing along we have to take care of ourselves!!
Click on Pic for Printable Self-Care Calendar for Teens! You will be taken to our Resource Library page. Drop your email on form and receive your password in minutes. Print off as many as you need:)
Our teens need to work hard at school, be able to concentrate in class and at home, and recall what they have learned. Adolescents may have activities after school where they are challenging themselves physically and mentally. High school students may have part-time jobs where they learn and perform various tasks. At home, teenagers have chores and may need to care for little siblings.

So self-care, caring for ourselves is vital to a healthy life!

Self-Care Activities for Youth

Now that we have talked about what self-care is, let's look at some concrete self-care activities for youth! Here are 25 self-care tips for teens!

Share your troubles with a parent or mentor such as a teacher, youth pastor or coach.

2. Get enough sleep at night by having a consistent bed-time.

3. Give yourself social media breaks where you don't look at any social media for an hour or afternoon.
Moms! Grab some self-care tips designed just for moms of tweens and teens here!
4. Making a list of everything you have to do and identify what needs to be done next.
5. Spend time with those friends that are truly encouraging of you, face to face or on the phone.
5. Release relationships that make you feel drained or that you aren't good enough.
Teach your teen how to take responsibility for their feelings with these must have emotional maturity tips!
6. Be careful how you talk about yourself and drop those overly negative statements.

7. Make a list of all the things you LOVE! And then develop a few hobbies that truly fill you back up.

8. Make time to eat breakfast to get your metabolism going and care for your body.

9. Limit the amount of sugar you eat. Set simple guidelines like no more than 3 pops/ soft drinks a week.

10. Pay attention in class. You are already there so use the time wisely by listening and taking notes.

11. Be aware of your own ups and downs, and create a plan to balance your low times.

12. Read a good book. Ask your librarian for help or your friends for recommendations.

13. Start a side business. Learn and bring in money by creating a micro-business.

14. Turn your homework and tasks in on time at school. Avoid the stress of always being late.

15. Get physical. Walk with a friend or parent. Join a school sport or have fun on an intramural team.

16. Say no to things you truly don't want to do such as a school activity you only joined cause your friend asked.

17. Manage your chores. Don't wait for tension and parental nagging. Decide what time works best and get it done!

18. Schedule your time off. Be deliberate to schedule "off time" where you can really relax and not feel guilty.

19. Go through your closet, room and locker twice a year to remove broken, old or no longer needed items.
20. Add 10 minutes of something relaxing or encouraging to your morning routine.
21. Set specific and measurable goals for yourself. Break them into areas such as school, summer or personal goals.

22. Reflect on something you are thankful for or a task you did well.

23. Join or get involved in a local church. Church can be a great place to find imperfect people who are trying to become a little better.

24. Pray or meditate. Recognize that you can only control so much of life.

25. Get creative and playful. Even though you are older doesn't mean you don't still need to play in your life. Make a craft, bake or take your little sibling or niece (or nephew) to the park.

More Self-Care Ideas for Adolescents

Recognize that self-care for youth needs to address a teenager's mental, spiritual, physical and emotional needs. Help your teenagers recognize that self-care is more than just caring for the outside but also for their mind and soul. Try out these self-care activities for youth!
Check out more Calming Ideas for Tweens and Teens from Karen at Nourishing Tweens!
Physical Self-Care Ideas for Teenagers

Soak in a hot tub.

Update your look seasonally with a few new clothing pieces or a hair cut.

Have a bed-time routine that helps you to start relaxing a half an hour before lights out.

Make sure to wash your face in the evening and morning with a simple face cleaner (like Cetaphil).

Get creative with a new make-up style if you wear make-up.

Clean out your closet of things that don't fit or make you feel blah when you wear them.

Drink lots of water.

Make sure to get enough Vitamin D by being outside in the sun a little each day.

Practice waiting before you treat yourself to develop a habit of thinking through your food choices.

Mental Self-Care Activities for Youth

Start to recognize what things make you feel anxious, depressed or angry. Are there things you can do differently to balance these interactions. Should you avoid social media first thing in the morning? Do you need to be by yourself for an hour after coming home from school? Are there certain relationships that cause you to feel yuck that you need to release? Do you need to plan something a little "fun" each week like hanging out with a friend?

Create a de-stress plan that works well for you. Do you like to write or journal about your feelings? Does it help to talk aloud to a friend? Do you need to get outside and do something physical?

Tell your parent or mentor if you start having more and more negative thoughts. Sometimes we need a little help. And that is OK. You may find it helpful to go to talk to a counselor who can help you work through your negative feelings.

Positive Affirmations for Teenagers

The messages we internally repeat to ourselves over and over are VERY powerful! Be aware of what you are telling yourself and make sure to replace the negatives messages with positive affirmations!

I am unique and the world needs my gifts!

I am smart in ways that even I have yet to discover!

I can overcome my mistakes and learn from them!

I am worthy of love because I am a person not because of how I look or perform.

I don't have to compare myself against others to know if I'm valuable.

I may not be everyone's cup of tea but there are many for who I am a perfect match!

I will be just the person someone needs to hear from or see today!

I have already accomplished some wonderful things in my life.

If I feel overwhelmed by fear, anxiety or depression today, that's Ok, because tomorrow is a new day!

I am created by God and He has a purpose for my life!

Emotional Self-Care Ideas

Our teenagers are their own unique person with their own likes, needs and dislikes. Teach your teenagers to value themselves and care for their emotional needs. This starts with us valuing them...even when we don't always get what they are going through. Encourage them to try out some of these emotional self-care tips!

Practice sharing how you are feeling with those who you feel safe.

Learn to trust your instincts in relationships. If something feels off, it probably is.

Give yourself room to feel sad, angry, jealous or anxious. Examine why you feel this way. Think about what is reality and truth and what is mainly your fear speaking.

Think about what brings you joy. Can you incorporate more of this into your life?

Train yourself to be careful how you talk to those you love so that you don't cause unnecessary pain by unkind words.

Be aware of what you grab to comfort yourself (food, shopping, netflix, scrolling social media, porn, gossiping, etc...) and replace it with something more positive that will actually refuel you!

Self-Care Activities Worksheets for Teens and Tweens

We can help our teenagers create a self-care routine by practicing a little self-care each day. And we should experiment with different types of self-care. So I created a self-care activities worksheet so that teens can get used to thinking of self-care and how best to care for themselves.

Here are 20 days of self-care ideas to do on this easy PRINTABLE SELF-CARE CALENDAR FOR TEENS. Click on pic! Pop your information on Resource Library form. Receive password and link in minutes!

Simply go to the Resource Library, enter the password and print off as many copies of the self-care calendar as you need for your tweens and teens. The calendar can print as a poster or if you just want to print as a 8 1/2 by 11, then just choose "print to fit" on your printer setting!
If you are not a member of The Reluctant Cowgirl family go here to drop your email and receive the password to the Resource Library sent right to your inbox! Simple and immediate access! Or Simply click on the graphic above!

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25 Must Try Self-Care Activities for Youth - The Reluctant Cowgirl

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The first blush of the new school year has worn off and stress starts to build up. Is your teenager ready to handle the stress of school deadlines, full schedules and evenings loaded with activities? Even as adults we can find ourselves overwhelmed and often unaware of the toll stress is taking in our life.

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This channel was generated automatically by YouTube's video discovery system.

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Parents, I'm sure you'll agree with this...

We had a more 'active' childhood than the current digital generation does!

As a parent, I'm sure that at some point or the other you've found yourself wondering whether your kid is getting enough exercise or not.

But don't worry! We'll help you with ingenious exercise game ideas to try at home!

With the advent of screens, it's a huge task to get children off digital gadgets - let alone get them to go out and play actively.

RELATED: Quick & Easy Ways To Reduce Your Child's Time On TV / Mobile Phones >

And with so many attention-grabbing digital games and activities, we really can't blame the kids, can we!

So what now? Put a ban on digital devices for your child?

Well, we're pretty sure that may backfire! In fact, all that does is increases the rebellious behaviour in your child, and hence, they will specifically do exactly what you ask of them.

At the same time, we can't let our children grow up unfit and unhealthy!

What we do is make physical activity more fun than it's ever been before.

Make physical activity as exciting as a video game would be with the added benefit of endorphins being released into your children's brains because of the exercise. This hormone makes them feel positive, happy, and good in a way that digital activities never could!

It's vital for us to prevent health problems such as being under/overweight in our kids from a young age.

"In our days the only options we had was to play these exercise games with our friends. They are not only good for the physical health but for one's mental well being as well.

It teaches children to be more social, how to be a team player and also instils important leadership skills." - says Priyadarshini from Rabble Babble Battle.

Let's look at a few fun activities and games that you can easily involve your child in to keep their physical fitness in check.

We have exercise games ideas for both indoor and outdoor fun, so take a look!

Races:

This is an extremely obvious kind of physical activity. You can organize races with a small prize for your child and their friends in a yard or area around your house.

Get creative with the type of race. You can have a three-legged race, a one-legged race, a crab walk race, etc.

Also, let's not forget the classic race of deciding on a finish point that's a bit far off and any route can be used to get there to see who wins. Jump rope (skipping rope) races are great, too, as it's maximum leg exercise combined with a cardio workout!

Sports:

Your child will almost always show a natural inclination towards a sport. You can tell by paying attention to what they watch and what sport they play video games of.

Have a game of this particular sport with them often. Even enrol them in a class and ask them to try out for their school team.

There are also some sports like swimming that you definitely should encourage your child to practise often.

Besides, swimming is fun! Make a sunny summer fun day out of it and your kids are sure to be excited about it. You can also find an indoor pool at a hotel if it's winter.

Obstacle course:

It's an exciting way to exercise!

If you've watched any television reality game shows, you know what I'm talking about.

Use some furniture, and also some chalk to draw out a course ranging from the inside of your house to the garden or corridor outside. Add challenges to the course. You can add a puzzle to be solved, a vast area to be crossed without touching the ground, etc.

Hunt!

This can be either indoor or outdoor!

Organize a hunt that spreads across a large area, or even just inside your house.

Just place toys or treats hidden in different places and start your kid off with the first place.

Each place should have a puzzle written for the next. If you make sure the places are far apart, your kids will get a good run out of it.

Simple activities like gardening are a great source of exercise for kids. If you don't have your own garden, just get some pots, some mud, and some saplings and ask your kids to fill the pots up themselves!

Dance!

By far the simplest and the most fun-filled activity to do to get that daily cardio workout.

Just put on some music, get some preferably healthy snacks and gather up your child's friends!

You now have your very own dance party. You could also just do this during family time with your children.

Walk:

If you have a dog, divide daily responsibilities of walking it. If you don't, practise going for strolls in the park or walking to the grocery store instead of taking a vehicle. Walk as much as you can with your kids.

Hula Hooping:

For some reason, children love hula hoops!

Get your children some hula hoops and start hooping with them. Just teach them how to do it and we promise you that they won't be able to get enough.

Blow off that steam!

We're used to the tantrums our kids throw, right? What if I told you that you asking them to throw these temper tantrums on purpose when they're in a good mood will actually help them both psychologically and physically?

It may sound a bit crazy, but when they kick and run and jump and scream, they're getting tired out because of the energy they're spending.

This also helps them get out all their pent up anger and emotion without them even realizing it.

Follow the leader:

When playing this game, you'll be the leader and it's the easiest way to get a good workout done by your kids. Make sure to include exercises like jumping jacks, kicks, running, jumps, etc.

Tag:

A simple game of tag where you chase your children and when you catch someone, they then have to do the chasing, is a fun old-school option for a workout.

Capture The Flag:

This is a classic game that is definitely sure to keep your kids busy and active for a long time. Gather up your kid's friends and take them to a vast space with plenty of closed spaces to hide.

Divide them into two teams and give each team a flag that they would have to hide which the other team would have to find.

If anyone catches a member of the opposite team on their team's land they're put on a time-out until touched by one of their own team members. Read the complete set of rules here >

Hopscotch:

Hopscotch is a good game that can be played both indoor (using floor tiles as markers) and outdoors (with chalk on a sidewalk or pavement). Keep making the hopscotch course bigger and bigger to keep your kids active and excited by all that jumping.

Twister:

We've all seen the twister mat game in various toy stores and online websites. It's the perfect indoor exercise game for kids so it's an excellent idea to invest in it.

Table Tennis:

It's a great idea to also invest in a table tennis table for another great indoor exercise game option.

Any small, mostly empty room can be used to play table tennis and as it does involve quite a bit of running, it's a great way to exercise.

You can even find a smaller sized table that your kid can use with their friends if your kid is very young.

Pop, pop, pop!

Inspired by some awfully simple birthday games, all you have to do for this is blow some bubbles out in your garden and ask your kid to run around popping all of them.

Another variation of this game is don't let the balloon touch the ground (without holding it for more than a second at a time, of course.

There are a few tips you have to keep in mind while getting kids to exercise as it isn't the easiest job.

Schedule it right:

Make sure to pick a certain time in the day that is suitable to everyone's moods as well as free time. Right before or right after lunch usually works best.

Track, chart, and reward progress:

Keep a track of all the exercises completed and even chart out the exercise-related achievements made by the kids and have a small monthly reward for the kid or family member with the most achievements.

Enrol in exercise-related events:

Be it a marathon or a boot camp for working out, get your kid enrolled in it! Events like these add a bit of surprise and difference to the exercise and get kids excited.

Even events such as a safety training session or a self-defence class promote exercise while building an important skill.

Try an activity box:

Activity boxes such as Flintobox can help in both fine motor and gross motor exercise! Since the activities are play-based and hands-on, children enjoy a fun brain workout away from screens. To know more about Flintobox activities, visit this link >

Get your kid involved in planning:

If there's one thing kids love the most, it's letting their creativity flow by planning something that other people would follow and enjoy.

Get them to plan the workouts and maybe even set goals for a week. Hand them the reins.

Spend more time in open nature:

Whether it's going for a picnic or simply to play and stroll in the park, it's always good to spend time out in the open. If possible, plan a picnic once every couple of weeks and take along the ball, a frisbee, and a skipping rope to keep your kid both occupied and well-exercised.

One crucial point Neha from Growing with Nemit stresses on is that, "When outdoors, we should make sure to get involved in our child's play, be it an obstacle race, hopscotch, leaf & stone collection for artwork, hunting the hidden objects, walking on a line, treasure hunt, ball throw and catch, or simply catch me if you can."

If these tips are followed properly, soon enough, your kids are sure to enjoy taking part in physical exercise.

The trick really is to just make spending time doing these exercises as fun as possible. Your kids will automatically be enticed by these exercise games and will soon be enthusiastic about doing them.

Make sure that you're enthusiastic about this if you want your kids to be. Whether it's a workout at home or outdoors, it can always be turned into a fun way of spending time with your kids or even of your kids spending time with their friends.

It will also help to explain the importance of physical exercise at a young age, to your kids. They need to understand why it's essential.
Missed out on any kids exercise games? Drop a comment below and tell us what you try at home!

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16 Mind-Blowing Exercise Games To Make Kids Active, Fit & Healthy

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Parents, I'm sure you'll agree with this... We had a more 'active' childhood than the current digital generation does! As a parent, I'm sure that at some point or the other you've found yourself wondering whether your kid is getting enough exercise or not. But don't worry!

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Whether it's rainy, snowy, or simply too cold or hot to hit the park or backyard, exercise games and indoor activities that keep kids moving are a great way to get everyone in the family moving, giggling, and away from the screens for a bit.

We've put together a list of 30 easy indoor exercise games and fun exercises for kids at home. It's a really simple way for a family to integrate movement and exercise into any day. Most of these can be done right in your living room and will even work in tight city apartments (or hallways). We promise that everyone will be tired and laughing after attempting just a handful.

Looking for more indoor activities for kids? We have lots of ideas, including science experiments and sensory activities for all ages.

Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

When you keep the focus on the fun, exercise for kids isn't a chore-hopefully, these ideas will inspire your family to devise more entertaining ways to get moving.

Fun Exercises for Kids at Home

1. Push-ups

These push-up challenges are sure to get everyone moving. You can also try popcorn push-ups: Put a small bowl of popcorn on the floor, lower yourself down, and stick out your tongue to get a piece of popcorn with each thrust.

2. Jumping Jacks

They are so simple, but great for coordination and for getting your heart going. When my kids can't sleep, I have them do 25 to tire themselves out.

RELATED: 100 Awesome Art Projects for Creative At-Home Fun

The world looks funnier upside down, and it's also great exercise! Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
3. Headstands

Headstands are a great activity for the core muscles and to get blood going to the brain. Kids are often naturals!

4. TikTok Dances

The whole family can get up and moving-and maybe even go viral-as they learn a new TikTok Dance.

5. Steam Team

Burn off some steam while learning one of these 65 life skills -steam-cleaning the house.

6. Dance Party

Turn on the music and shake your groove thang.

7. Temper Tantrum

Have a fit for the fun of it. Flail, stomp, and scream.

8. Sock Skating

If you have hardwood floors, put on socks to skate around. Try spins or hockey stops, or see who can slide the farthest. My kids also like to up the speed factor with a couple of pieces of wax paper under each foot. Make sure to move the furniture, and watch for splinters!

9. Bubble Bashing

Blow bubbles and let your child try to pop them.

RELATED: 50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Any sheet becomes a living room parachute. Photo courtesy of Alex Green, Pexels

10. Parachute

This kiddie-gym standby can be recreated at home with sheets. Each person takes an end of the parachute or sheet and fans it upward while the kids take turns running underneath.

Indoor Exercise Games for Kids

11. Jump-Rope Games

From solo games to multiplayer ones, these jump-rope workout games really get the kids moving.

12. Obstacle Course

Create a furniture course in your house or apartment. Add in specific mental or physical challenges to keep the kids guessing.

13. Bubble-Wrap Attack

If you get bubble wrap in the mail, jump on it until it's all popped, or try one of these other bubble-wrap games and activities.

14. Balloon Ball

There are endless ways to play with balloons indoors. Try to keep a balloon off the ground, play catch, or mix it up with balloon tennis.

Write up clues and hide them around the house. Kids can race to find each clue for a small prize at the end.

Fill up water bottles and use any ball you have.

17. Recess Time

What's everyone's favorite subject? Recess! Try one of these indoor recess games to keep bodies (and brains) active.

18. Baby Activity Center

Keep the wee-est ones actively engaged by turning their high chair into a play zone.

RELATED: 99 Sensory Activities for Any Child

Blocks, beans, ice, or pretty much anything can contribute to your sensory bin. Photo courtesy of Tatiana Syrikova, Pexels

19. Sensory Bins

Little ones can explore, touch, grab, and lunge their way through one of these 10 sensory bin ideas for busy toddlers.

20. Animal Races

Hop like a bunny or frog, squat and waddle like a duck, and so on.

21. Follow the Leader

Add to the workout with energetic movements such as jumping, stomping, and squatting.

22. Freeze Dance

When the music stops, freeze in your pose and hold it until the music begins again.

23. Tickle Tag

Chase your children. When you catch them, it's tickle time.

24. Wheelbarrow, Crab, and Bear-Walk Races

Holding one of these tough positions gives you a real workout.

25. Cleanup Race

Set a timer or put on a song to see who can right the room the fastest.

26. Carnival

Set up carnival games such as "Knock Down the Milk Cans." We used Tupperware!

27. Hopscotch

Use tape to make an old-fashioned game of hopscotch on your floor.

RELATED: 20 Jump Rope Workout Games and Songs for Kids

Everyone loves a pillow fight! Photo courtesy of Monstera via Pexels

28. Pillow Fight

No explanation needed.

29. Wrestling

Put down a mat, or play on a rug or a bed. See if your kids can wrestle you to the ground.

30. Pushover Parents
This article first published in October 2011, but is regularly updated.
Plant your feet and see if the kids can budge you. If you move your feet, they win. Stand on one foot to make it easier for little kids.

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30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving | Mommy Poppins

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Whether it's rainy, snowy, or simply too cold or hot to hit the park or backyard, exercise games and indoor activities that keep kids moving are a great way to get everyone in the family moving, giggling, and away from the screens for a bit.

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Posted on 23rd February 2022

Therapy: How I Asked for Help, and How You Can, Too

Every other Thursday, five o’clock, I have plans.  “I can’t hang out, my mom needs me to babysit tonight.” “I already promised I’d help around the house.” “Sorry, I’m grounded.” “I can’t tonight, I’ve got loads of homework.” Every other Thursday, I used to lie. It’s not that I was doing anything of concern, but […]

Read Article 11 Min Read Anxiety

Posted by Vibrant Communications on 22nd February 2022

Applications Open! Join the 2022 Spring/Summer You Matter Blogger Council

It’s that time of year again, folks! We’re looking for bloggers to join the 2022 Spring/Summer You Matter Blogger Council. The deadline to apply has been extended! The new deadline is Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022. You Matter has always been a space for youth, by youth, to share stories and make your voices heard. If you’re […]

Read Article 2 Min Read Advocacy

Posted by Savannah on 14th January 2022

Ways I Help Support My Loved Ones When They Need It

Picture this: a friend of yours confronts you with a problem they are going through, maybe a break up or family drama, distraught and upset. They are coming to you in a hard-to-approach state, and you don’t know what to do. We’ve all been there, myself included. It seems like a daunting situation, one that […]

Read Article 8 Min Read Anxiety

Posted by Liv on 15th December 2021

When You’re Feeling SAD, Try to Make the Day Rad

Although the warmth of a fire is quite delightful, fall turns to winter, and the weather becomes oh so frightful. Ok, that is a cute little play on words but if we are being honest winter sometimes just sucks. It is dark by mid-afternoon, it’s cold, and laziness is at its finest. Curling up in […]

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Posted by Brynne on 10th December 2021

Season of Self-Care

As the holidays are quickly approaching, we can often get caught up in finding the perfect gift for others, baking the perfect pie, or visiting family members. But the holiday season is a great time for you to focus on yourself, and to find time for self–care. So, in this blog, I am going to […]

Read Article 6 Min Read Anxiety

Posted by Savannah on 29th November 2021

How I’ve Learned to Adjust Living with a Blended Family

In the early summer of 2019, my mom introduced my sister and I to a man and his daughter. Three years later, they are living with us and a lot has changed. To others, it probably seems pretty cut and dry, a simple blended family situation. However, we face problems every day and struggle to […]

Read Article 5 Min Read Coping

Posted by Alyssa on 24th November 2021

Navigating Food During the Holidays

CW: Eating Disorders The holiday season has arrived, and while festivities may be long-awaited for some, it’s not always the most ‘wonderful time of the year’ for everyone. Many families center holiday celebrations around food, and for people who have a complex relationship with food, this can bring feelings of stress and anxiety rather than […]

Read Article 7 Min Read Anxiety

Posted by Jade on 19th November 2021

The Trick I Use to Help Combat My Perfectionism

One thing I’ve always struggled with is perfectionism. As someone with a lot of anxiety, I often feel like everything I do has to either be done “right” or not at all, because the fear of failing—or, at least, the fear of not meeting my own expectations—is overwhelming. This sometimes means I continuously put off […]

Read Article 7 Min Read Anxiety

Posted by Vibrant Communications on 29th October 2021

Meet the Fall/Winter 2021 You Matter Blogger Council!

Name: Brynne Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Age: 14 Living in: Illinois What’s your favorite song right now and why? “Softly” by Clairo. I love the low, chill melody- this song is perfect for relaxing and puts me in a good mood Name: Jade Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Age: 24 Living in: Michigan What’s your favorite song right now and why? “Thunderous” by Stray Kids! [...]

Read Article 2 Min Read You Matter

Posted by Brynne on 28th October 2021

How to #BeThe1To Help Someone Else

Content Warning: Suicidal Thoughts If you’ve ever frequented the hallways of a middle school or high school, it’s likely that you’ve heard lots of things. Snippets of conversation, gossip, and news of all sorts. But recently, I found myself walking down the hallway and overheard a statement that was alarming to me. The student had […]

Read Article 5 Min Read BeThe1To

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Name: Brynne Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Age: 14 Living in: Illinois What's your favorite song right now and why? "Softly" by Clairo. I love the low, chill melody- this song is perfect for relaxing and puts me in a good mood 🙂 Name: Jade Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Age: 24 Living in: Michigan What's your favorite song right now and why?

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Fresno Cares - Fresno County Suicide Prevention Collaborative

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You can make a difference by spreading the word about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Let's start the conversation. Click below to check out our resources and graphics for a variety of social media platforms:

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Active Minds Giving Tuesday

It is that time of year...your chance to support young adult mental health and Active Minds during Giving Tuesday.

Adding to your impact, our friends at Urban Outfitters are #GivingToSay that "Mental Health Matters" by generously matching any gift over $25 (up to $50,000).

Maximize your impact. Maximize your support of young adult mental health across the country.

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Active Minds - Changing the conversation about mental health

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Active Minds is the nation's premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults.

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As part of California's ongoing mental health movement, the Take Action for Mental Health campaign is designed to help you check in, learn more, and get support for your own mental health or the mental health of someone you care about.

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Privacy Policy

1. What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.

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Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program : Home

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Privacy Policy What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.

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The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention. We want to establish a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to possibly identify and help at-risk youth.

This is accomplished through a series of programs and services that focus on information about the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. A description of the JFI programs and services are available here.
Below is a listing of other resources that may be helpful.

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The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention. We want to establish a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to possibly identify and help at-risk youth.

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Being kind is more important now than ever before. The news is all pretty much doom and gloom, and we've all been through a lot in 2020, and it's only July. That's why we've partnered with the amazing guys over at Simple, who have teamed up with Little Mix, to inspire the UK to #ChooseKindness.

Being kind doesn't have to be hard, and it doesn't have to come in the form of some out of this world grand gesture (we're not saying it can't either). Kindness can be something so small that just puts a smile on someone else's face, because even the tiniest bit of kindness can make a difference. So, here's a list of 25 small acts of kindness that you can do to help us in our mission to make the world a better place.

1. Make someone a cuppa

2. Donate to an organization

3. Check in on a friend

4. Ask people how they really are doing

5. Smile at someone in the street

6. Volunteer somewhere that needs help right now

7. Help out a neighbour

8. Send someone a little gift to let them know you are thinking about them

9. Comment something positive on a post

10. Reconnect with someone you've lost contact with

11. Leave a happy note for a loved one to find

12. Gift someone one of the Simple x Little Mix Limited Edition Packs

13. Pet a doggy (safely)

14. Clean up without being asked

15. Share the kindest thing someone has done for you on social media to inspire other people to take up the mission of #choosekindness

16. Send a letter for no reason to someone you love

17. Pay for the next person's drive through/coffee/cake or shopping

18. Be better to the planet and try out a waste-free day or week

19. Support a local or small business

20. Design or make something that will show someone you care

21. Tell a friend they can always talk to you if they need to

22. Encourage others to choose kindness with you on social media

23. Tell someone you love them for no reason

24. Leave a positive review of a business or service you've used

25. Send someone to our Simple Hub for support and advice on all kinds of things that they might need help for.

And there you have it - 25 small acts of kindness that could make someone's day. Give one of them a go and join in the #ChooseKindness movement. For more information on #ChooseKindness, check out the hub here.

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25 Small Acts of Kindness that Could Make Someone's Day | Ditch the Label

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Being kind is more important now than ever before. The news is all pretty much doom and gloom, and we've all been through a lot in 2020, and it's only July. That's why we've partnered with the amazing guys over at Simple, who have teamed up with Little Mix, to inspire the UK to #ChooseKindness.

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NAMI Fresno is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We provide education, support, and advocacy for all affected by mental health challenges. Our programs, which are developed,

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NAMI Fresno is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We provide education, support, and advocacy for all affected by mental health challenges. Our programs, which are developed,

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Seize the Awkward | Talk With A Friend About Mental Health

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Having a conversation about mental health might be uncomfortable, but it can make all the difference. Check out these tools - from conversation guides to tips -that can help you help those in need.

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Almost everyone who attempts or completes suicide has given warning signs through their words or behaviors. Do not ignore any suicide threats. The following statements may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

"I'd be better off dead."

"I won't be bothering you much longer."

"You'll be better off without me around."

"I hate my life."

"I am going to kill myself."

Suicide threats are not always verbal.

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Almost everyone who attempts or completes suicide has given warning signs through their words or behaviors. Do not ignore any suicide threats. The following statements may indicate serious suicidal feelings. "I'd be better off dead." "I won't be bothering you much longer." "You'll be better off without me around."

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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Let's say you're having an open, honest conversation with someone about mental health - you can find tips on how to do that - and they feel comfortable enough with you to reveal that they're having thoughts of suicide. You probably feel an immense amount of pressure. How should you respond? What can you do to connect them to help?

First of all, realize that someone opening up in this way is a positive thing, because it's an opportunity to help. Here are some ways you can respond.
Let them know you're listening
First of all, reassure them you hear what they're saying, and that you're taking them seriously.

"I'm so glad you're telling me about how much has been going on, and how you're feeling. Thank you for sharing this with me."
Show your support
In your own way, make sure they know you're there with them, and that you care.

"I'm right here with you."

"Nothing you're going through changes how I feel about you, and how awesome I think you are."

"I love you no matter what, and we're going to get through this together."
Encourage them to keep talking - and really listen
Let them know you want to hear more about how they're feeling, and what they're going through. Listen actively by expressing curiosity and interest in the details.

"Wow - that situation sounds really difficult."

"How did that make you feel when that happened?"
Ask them about changes in their life and how they are coping
Find out how long it's been that the person has been feeling this way, and any changes it's caused in their life.

"How long have you felt this way? When did these feelings start?"

"Have these thoughts led to any specific changes in your life, like trouble sleeping, or keeping up with work?"

"Have you been getting out as much as before? Are you isolating yourself?"
Be direct if you suspect they're thinking about suicide
If you think someone's thinking about suicide, trust your gut and ask them directly. Research shows it will not put the idea in their head, or push them into action. Often, they'll be relieved someone cares enough to hear about their experience with suicidal thoughts.

"Are you thinking about killing yourself?"

"Does it ever get so tough that you think about ending your life?"

Make sure not to sound like you're passing judgment ( DON'T say: "You're not thinking of doing something stupid, are you?") or guilt-trip them (DON'T say: "Think of what it would do to your parents.")

Instead, reassure them that you understand and care.

"I really care about you, and I want you to know you can tell me anything."
What can you say if they tell you they're thinking about killing themselves?
Stay calm - just because someone is having thoughts of suicide, it doesn't mean they're in immediate danger. Take the time to calmly listen to what they have to say, and ask some follow-up questions.

"How often are you having these thoughts?"

"When it gets really bad, what do you do?"

"What scares you about these thoughts?"

"What do you need to do to feel safe?"

Reassure them that help is available, and that these feelings are a signal that it's time to talk to a mental health professional.

"The fact that you're having these thoughts tells me something significant is going on for you right now. The good news is, help is out there. I want to help you get connected to resources that can help."
Follow their lead, and know when to take a break
This is a tough conversation to have, so make sure the other person knows they can stop if it feels like talking about it is too hard for them at the moment.

"Are you okay with continuing to talk about this?"

"I want to support you, and I'll be here if you want to talk more later."
How to suggest they could benefit from professional help
You are being a great person in having this supportive conversation - but you're not a mental health professional. If the person you care about has told you they're thinking of suicide, it's a warning sign that they should speak with a mental health professional. Here's how you can broach the subject.

"I hear you that you're struggling, and I think it would really be helpful for you to talk to someone who can help you get through this."

"You know, therapy isn't just for serious, "clinical" problems. It can help any of us process any challenges we're facing - and we all face serious stuff sometimes."

"I really think talking to someone can help you gain some perspective, and keep things from getting worse."

"You're in good company: the highest-performing executives and elite athletes lean on mental health professionals to hone their performance. Reaching out for professional guidance and therapy is a strong thing to do, and it can make all the difference."
Help them connect
Sometimes making that first moment of contact to professional help can be the hardest. Offer to help them connect in whatever way you're comfortable with.

"I could call your insurance with you, or go online to find a mental health professional or substance use program. Or I could sit with you while you do it. We can figure it out together."

"I could drive or walk you to your appointment. Then we could have coffee afterwards."
If they're concerned about privacy
If the person is worried about others finding out that they're getting treatment, let them know their worries are mostly unfounded.

"Mental health treatment actually has even greater confidentiality safeguards than physical health treatment."

"Most people realize that mental health is an extremely important, valid part of health in general - and we all have various kinds of health issues. People who get support for their mental health are seen as strong, smart and proactive."

If they ask you not to tell anyone, tell them you want to help them get the support they need - and that that may involve enlisting the help of others. Encourage them to be part of the conversation that happens in reaching out for help, and reassure them you'll be as discreet as possible in your effort to keep them safe.
What if they refuse?
Not everyone is ready right away. If someone you know is struggling refuses your suggestion of professional help (and if they aren't in immediate danger, i.e. that they are not presently self-harming or about to), be patient and don't push too hard.

"It's okay that it doesn't sound like you're ready yet. I really hope you'll think about it. Just let me know if you change your mind, and I can help you connect with someone."

"I know you're going through a lot, and I really believe it can make a big difference for your life, and your health. Just consider it for later, and know I'm here to help."

"If you're not ready to go in and meet with someone in person, you could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or if you don't feel like speaking, just text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. They can tell you more about what it might be like to work with a doctor, counselor or therapist."

You can also offer to speak with their primary care provider as a gentle next step - family and friends can provide information to health care providers without expecting a call back or for the HCP to provide any confidential health information back.
When the convo's winding down...
End the conversation by reiterating that you are so glad for the chance to connect on this deeper level about such meaningful things in life. Remind them that we all have challenges at times, and that you'll continue to be there for them.
* If they're in immediate danger Check out (and share) our other AFSP #RealConvo Guides: How to Start (and Continue!) a Conversation About Mental Health: A #RealConvo Guide from AFSP Reaching Out for Help: A #RealConvo Guide from AFSP How to Talk to a Suicide Loss Survivor: A #RealConvo Guide from AFSP

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If Someone Tells You They're Thinking About Suicide: A #RealConvo Guide from AFSP

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Let's say you're having an open, honest conversation with someone about mental health - you can find tips on how to do that - and they feel comfortable enough with you to reveal that they're having thoughts of suicide. You probably feel an immense amount of pressure. How should you respond?