Losing someone to suicide is an overwhelming and devastating experience, especially for young people. During Suicide Awareness Month, it’s crucial that we offer up conversations about loss, grief, and mental health, ensuring young people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Whether they come to fruition or not, threats of school shootings impact the mental health of young people. Youth might feel activated – worried, scared, angry, confused, or all of the above. While school districts, communities, and adults in youths’ lives continue to talk about this ongoing national issue, there are important ways we can support youth mental health through it.

During the winter season and the diverse holidays many of us celebrate, it can be easy to focus on all the stresses and expectations. It’s okay to acknowledge our feelings. But they can also be an invitation to see and experience joy and comfort - whether reliving family tradition, or defining new ways to feel comfort, togetherness, and joy.

Youth are experiencing a swath of feelings after transitioning to in-person activities after two pandemic years, like anxiety around reconnecting with friends, school performance and motivation, and depression. Here are two tools that could help.