Did you know that suicide can be prevented? Despite this, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year.   being the third leading cause of death in young people aged 15 to 29.

Among adolescents, 1 in 7 experience some form of mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems. When these are not detected early, the suffering can be truly unbearable for them.

This is why it is important that from a young age you foster a bond of love and attachment in your children, making them feel, even in their IMPERFECTION, that they are worthy of love and respect.

There are signs you should be aware of:

• Constant negative thoughts, or marked irritability
• More constant isolation than before, or a complete abandonment of activities that I used to enjoy.
• Self-harm,
• Sudden changes in sleep or appetite
• Poor academic performance 

Currently, addiction to or abuse of screens and social media has increased the risk of suicidal thoughts. Moderate and always monitor their use; remember that their brain is still immature and the information they receive from the internet is often not suitable for their maturity.

If you notice any of these signs, it's important to avoid blaming them or minimizing what they feel, as this can create a communication barrier between you and them and destroy any trust they may have in you.

Validate their feelings, support them, and always seek help. Timely intervention, and especially your presence, can change the course of events.

You don't need to have all the answers, you need to BE THERE, BELIEVE IT, AND ACTIVATE SUPPORT TODAY.

Dr. Maribel Cortez

Pediatrician specializing in breastfeeding and neurodevelopment