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Mental Health Awareness

A teenage girl and a woman in professional dress have a conversation in a psychiatric office. The woman holds a clipboard.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Northwell is here to help
If a child develops abnormal sleeping or eating patterns or withdraws from social behaviors, it could be a sign of something more serious. Read on for potential causes and warning signals of suicide, and resources that can help a child in your care.

We’re committed to better mental health care for all

Northwell is dedicated to providing care for people of all walks of life – including children, young adults, veterans, seniors, those impacted by traumatic experiences, and those who struggle in silence – with world-class behavioral health services.

The CDC reports in 2021 compared with 2019, there was a jump in suicide attempts by U.S. children of 73% for 10- to 12-year-olds and about 49% for 13- to 15-year-olds. We want to help caretakers understand why there is a rise in cases, recognize the warning signs in their child and provide them with tools to engage with a child and resources to help.

Northwell’s specialist in child psychiatry, Vera Feuer, MD, explains the potential causes, warning signals and helpful resources here. To get the conversation started, caregivers can use our pictogram to help children learn how to discuss their feelings.

A network of care

For families with a loved one in need of immediate care, you can find help through the following Northwell locations

Not in our area? You can also find help by calling:

Podcast series

This 3-part series from 20-Minute Health Talk examines child suicidality, an issue that looms increasingly large over America’s children. Throughout Suicide Prevention Month in September, the podcast features experts and advocates who are finding innovative ways to address this problem and improve access to care. 
 

This is Part 1 of Northwell's podcast series on child suicidality, which the CDC reports is on the rise in the U.S. Vera Feuer, MD, shares the warning signs and helpful resources for caretakers, including what language to use — as well as what to avoid — when talking to children.

Listen to Part 1 of this series

In Part 2, the 20-Minute Health Talk team takes a look at a group of concerned mothers on a mission to create and fund innovative programs and solutions that improve mental health and wellness in children.

Listen to Part 2 of this series

David Rosenthal, DO, PhD, and Helena Roderick, PhD, highlight the many challenges negatively impacting LGBTQ kids' mental health and what individuals and community institutions can do to help curb the high rates of suicidal ideation and behaviors in this at-risk population.

Listen to Part 3 of this series

Parents can use this chart to help their child identify, describe and talk about their feelings. 

Download pictogram
News about Northwell's Behavioral Health Centers
Northwell's first in Suffolk County and third overall, the new behavioral health center is part of an innovative collaboration with Long Island school districts.
The $100K grant will enable the Center to hire a dedicated care management coordinator and meet the needs of even more students.
Vera Feuer, MD, shares how school-based programs help families access care before problems escalate.
Northwell Health has opened an innovative behavioral health center in Rockville Centre to help address the increase in teen suicide and the growing crisis of mental and emotional distress in children and adolescents.

From heartwarming to thought-provoking, these stories feature advice from the experts as well as firsthand experiences of those navigating their mental health journeys.

Read more

From ugly cries to pillow screams, Julie Shapiro, editor of The Well,  gets real about this messy life of ours and how to get through it all with tips from the experts.

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