Due to our constant use of technology and the growing risk of liability stemming from cyber crimes, you have likely heard the terms cyberbullying and cyber threats, but you may not be able to distinguish between the two. According to the i-SAFE Foundation (isafe.org), an organization dedicated to protecting the privacy of youth (partly by educating them to safely and responsibly use information and communications technology), more than one in three young people have encountered cyber threats online— A cyber threat is defined as any form of intimidating online material suggesting that the author or perpetrator may commit an act of violence, suicide, or self-harm. The Cyberbullying Research Center (cyberbullying.org) attests that more than half of youth and teens have been cyberbullying victims, and around 10% to 20% experience cyberbullying regularly. Phones are a popular cyberbullying channel due to their popularity and high-usage rate amongst teens, and it is estimated that fewer than 20% of young cyberbullying victims notify their parents that they have been bullied.

Suicide is an urgent and growing public health crisis. More than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. That’s one death every 11 minutes.

The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is a bold new 10-year, comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to suicide prevention that provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps in the suicide prevention field. This coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention at the national, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels relies upon critical partnerships across the public and private sectors. People with lived experience are critical to the success of this work. 

 The National Strategy seeks to prevent suicide risk in the first place; identify and support people with increased risk through treatment and crisis intervention; prevent reattempts; promote long-term recovery; and support survivors of suicide loss. 

The Federal Action Plan identifies more than 200 actions across the federal government to be taken over the next three years in support of those goals. 

Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health conditions, and these problems may be clinically diagnosable. Youth with mental health disorders often can experience difficulties in a variety of settings, including home, school and the community. Unfortunately, fewer than 20 percent of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need.

Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs. Generally, the sooner mental dysfunction is diagnosed and treated, the sooner symptoms can improve, and the greater the likelihood of preventing more severe mental illness. Research has shown that, on average, it takes about 11 years from the time a person starts to experience mental health symptoms to the time when they access treatment. This means that many are suffering in silence. Talking with a doctor or mental health professional about how you’re feeling (or encouraging your friends and loved ones to do so) can make a difference and  ensure that your struggles are addressed sooner rather than later. Our staff at Here For Texas has seen firsthand the positive difference that mental health support and treatment can have on individuals. Don’t suffer in silence. We are here to help.