Parenting Tips

Featured Tip - Preventing Youth Suicide

As youth develop, they face challenges and stressful situations that may lead to mental health crises. Teenagers, especially need the support and guidance of adults to help them recognize and address problems that occur and prevent tragedies. It’s not only important to provide youth with resources for addressing mental health issues, but also limit their access to lethal means, when crisis situations arise. FCCS is partnering with Columbus Public Health (CPH) along with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to increase awareness and promote limiting access to lethal means. Through their Locks Save Lives campaign, CPH stresses the importance of safeguarding guns, medication and alcohol, especially if there are concerns about suicide. Those who may not be able to afford lockboxes, may receive one by sending an email to ChildInjuryPrevention@columbus.gov. Also, The City of Columbus has partnered with Columbus Fire to offer free gun locks. These gun locks are available to any Columbus resident, no questions asked, at all Columbus fire stations between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

If you suspect a youth is thinking about ending their life, get help! Call the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Line at (614) 221-5445 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If you need help immediately, dial 911.

Additional resources include:

24-Hour Teen Suicide Hotline - (614) 294-3300

Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line:

Call (614) 722-1800 for youth and adolescents ages 17 and under

Teen Crisis Line - Text “4hope” to 741-741

Click here to hear our PSA about gun safety

For more FCCS parenting tips, click on the links below:

Are You A Stressed Out Parent?
Are You A Stressed Out Parent? [Spanish]
Are You a Stressed Parent? [Somali]
Bullying
Choose Your Partner Carefully
Choose Your Partner Carefully (City of Columbus)
Cyberbullying
Easy Ways to Eat Right
Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best [Spanish]
Father Knows Best [Somali]
Gun Safety
Home Alone [Spanish]
Home Alone [Somali]
How to Develop a Positive Body Image
Keeping Kids Safe Online
Leaving a Child At Home Alone
Never Leave a Child Alone in a Car
Parenting Teens
Safe Sleep
Safe Sleep [Somali}
Safe Sleep [Spanish]
Safe Sleep Environment
Safe Sleep Environment [Spanish]
Survival Tips for Parents of a New Baby
Sweet Dreams ... Keeping Sleeping Babies Safe

Ted D. Bear

For additional parenting tips, click on the links below:

Tips from Ted D. Bear

FCCS's mascot Ted D. Bear speaks directly to kids, providing advice about issues they may face at home, school, and in the community. Check out these tips: