The Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council (MAWSAC) is a
non-profit partnership of community leaders working together to reduce the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse.
As a community, all of us want young people to live long, happy, and healthy lives. MAWSAC, working together with the Superintendent of Schools, is distributing cards that will give tips
to teens about how to help a friend who is troubled.
This project is adapted from a very successful program in the northeast region of Connecticut.
One side of the card explains where to turn for help and the other gives clues on how to take action to help a troubled person.
Contacts on the card
A parent, school personnel, coach, or clergy member are individuals young people come in contact with frequently and all play a role in protecting and helping young people in their everyday lives. Infoline is the regional phone helpline, available for emergencies 24 hours a day, everyday that provides information and, if necessary, referral to social service agencies. Infoline personnel are trained to handle emergency situations.
We need your help
What Parents Can Do
- Do not be afraid to talk to your
child about this subject. Talking can be a relief to a person at
risk.
- Know the warning signs of teen
suicide.
- Do not be afraid to ask, "Do you
sometimes feel so bad you think of suicide?"
- Utilize school and community
resources.
- Do not allow an at-risk child to be
alone.
- Take immediate action: Contact a
professional if you feel a child is at-risk.
The most important thing you can do for
your child or adolescent is to simply listen to them. They need to
know that someone cares and that someone will listen. Too often when
we talk with children we find ourselves getting caught up in having
to help them resolve their problems by giving advice. This is not
what is needed when they are already feeling hopeless.
The most
important long-term thing you can do is to link the suicidal person
with a network of professional support that will result
in addressing the underlying cause.
Working together, we can make a difference!
If you have questions, please contact MAWSAC at 203-294-3591. |
