Adolescent Self-Harm & Suicide
In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14. The rate of suicide for those ages 10 to 24 increased nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Female suicide rates have declined recently for all age groups over age 25 but have generally increased for those aged 10–14 and 15–24.
Suicide rates for females, by age group: United States, 2000–2020
Garnett MF, Curtin SC, Stone DM. Suicide mortality in the United States, 2000–2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 433. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:114217external icon
Below are some of the major risk factors associated with adolescent suicide.
Click a risk factor to learn how Empowerment 4 Girls program curricula align with mitigation measures recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Trevor Project.
Click a risk factor to learn how Empowerment 4 Girls program curricula align with mitigation measures recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Trevor Project.
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY & STRESS
Recommended Mitigations:
E4G program curricula are trauma informed, guided by WA Education Standards, and designed to provide nurturing, encouraging, and inclusive spaces.
Stress among adolescents can come from a wide array sources and can lead to and exacerbate depression and anxiety.
Sources of adolescent stress include but are not limited to:
Many of the recommended mitigations for reducing stress are the same regardless of the source.
We integrate nutrition, yoga, breath work, meditation/mindfulness, art projects, and exercise into our programming, while creating space for peer connections and support networks. We also invite guest speakers to give presentations on topics such as positive body image, social media awareness, fighting imposter syndrome, promoting healthy habits, and the power of community.
The following themes form the foundation of our Empowerment programs and focus heavily on stress reduction:
Click on a theme to view the curriculum
Stress among adolescents can come from a wide array sources and can lead to and exacerbate depression and anxiety.
Sources of adolescent stress include but are not limited to:
- Racism and discrimination
- Bullying
- School demands and frustrations
- Negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
- Changes in their bodies
- Navigating sexual orientation and gender identity in an unsupportive environment
- Economic insecurity
- Trauma and adversity experienced as a result of loss of stable housing and guardianship
- Peer pressure
- Trying to meet unreasonable expectations
Many of the recommended mitigations for reducing stress are the same regardless of the source.
We integrate nutrition, yoga, breath work, meditation/mindfulness, art projects, and exercise into our programming, while creating space for peer connections and support networks. We also invite guest speakers to give presentations on topics such as positive body image, social media awareness, fighting imposter syndrome, promoting healthy habits, and the power of community.
The following themes form the foundation of our Empowerment programs and focus heavily on stress reduction:
Click on a theme to view the curriculum
Empowerment
Understand the connection between self-esteem and healthy decision making.
Advocate for self and others to prevent bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
Discussion around the following questions:
Mindfulness/Breath work: Breath of fire to release negative self-talk and doubt. Bring energy back in through power words. Power yoga, warrior poses. After yoga, girls exchange written positive affirmations.
Discussion:
Ways to create allyship and support other girls.
Guest Yoga Teacher: Kelli Mae Willis “Powerful Partnership” We find our strength when we lift each other up. We use the principles of partner yoga, circus, and acrobatics to embody the power of community. Participants learn to find body shapes strong enough to hold the weight of a partner, while developing trust and courage to allow themselves to be supported.
Past Guest Speaker: Kimberly Mueller “The Power of Being a Female Engineer” Sometimes it isn't easy to feel like yourself when you are surrounded by people who seem different. I will talk about being a female engineer in a male dominated field. I will share a bit about what engineers do and will then focus on why staying true to yourself creates more fulfilling experiences at work. We will also do a fun engineering activity.
Advocate for self and others to prevent bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
Discussion around the following questions:
- What is your favorite thing about being a girl?
- What are your strengths?
- Why is it important to empower girls and women?
Mindfulness/Breath work: Breath of fire to release negative self-talk and doubt. Bring energy back in through power words. Power yoga, warrior poses. After yoga, girls exchange written positive affirmations.
Discussion:
Ways to create allyship and support other girls.
Guest Yoga Teacher: Kelli Mae Willis “Powerful Partnership” We find our strength when we lift each other up. We use the principles of partner yoga, circus, and acrobatics to embody the power of community. Participants learn to find body shapes strong enough to hold the weight of a partner, while developing trust and courage to allow themselves to be supported.
Past Guest Speaker: Kimberly Mueller “The Power of Being a Female Engineer” Sometimes it isn't easy to feel like yourself when you are surrounded by people who seem different. I will talk about being a female engineer in a male dominated field. I will share a bit about what engineers do and will then focus on why staying true to yourself creates more fulfilling experiences at work. We will also do a fun engineering activity.
Self Image
Learn the importance of having a strong sense of body image when dealing with societal stressors and social media challenges.
Self-inquiry questions:
Handout- 10 steps to positive body image.
Breathing/Meditation with Sound Healing-balancing breath; I am beautiful and strong. Positive affirmations, how and why they work- breaking patterns of negative self-talk
Past Guest Yoga Instructor: Aly Long “Seeing Ourselves Through the Eyes of Love”
We will practice asana, breath and meditation to focus on how we see ourselves. The practice will focus on loving ourselves where we are in this moment and in every moment. Practice will include some partner and group poses.
Past Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Swanson “Body image”
As someone who has struggled with body image most of my life, and as the mother of two girls, body image is an important topic to me. It’s impact on girls’ identity and confidence can’t be underestimated. I will speak with the girls about body image and the relationship we have with how our bodies look and how we feel others perceive us. We will also make an art project using self pictures and strong words of identity and confidence.
Self-inquiry questions:
- How do we appreciate/love what we have?
- Create positive pathways to embrace our authentic selves?
- How do you feel about your body, are you supported.
- Do your peers have positive ideas about their body?
- How do girls talk about their bodies when they are together?
- What is positive body image?
Handout- 10 steps to positive body image.
Breathing/Meditation with Sound Healing-balancing breath; I am beautiful and strong. Positive affirmations, how and why they work- breaking patterns of negative self-talk
Past Guest Yoga Instructor: Aly Long “Seeing Ourselves Through the Eyes of Love”
We will practice asana, breath and meditation to focus on how we see ourselves. The practice will focus on loving ourselves where we are in this moment and in every moment. Practice will include some partner and group poses.
Past Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Swanson “Body image”
As someone who has struggled with body image most of my life, and as the mother of two girls, body image is an important topic to me. It’s impact on girls’ identity and confidence can’t be underestimated. I will speak with the girls about body image and the relationship we have with how our bodies look and how we feel others perceive us. We will also make an art project using self pictures and strong words of identity and confidence.
Self Expression
Encourage girls to find their voices and freely express their emotions and experiences.
Discussion around the following questions and topics:
Mindfulness:
Breathing exercise - Inhale 3, exhale 5
Meditation - “my voice is strong and confident”
Yoga and positive affirmation meditation
Past Guest Speaker: Cecily Schmidt
Program attendees get the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the qualities that make them each unique. They are guided through a short yoga practice then write poems and create visual artwork to express the unique characteristics that make them who they are. We close by sharing our poems with each other.
Discussion around the following questions and topics:
- How do you express your emotions?
- What are different ways you express yourself?
- The struggle of women in confidently speaking truth
- Acknowledgement and validation
Mindfulness:
Breathing exercise - Inhale 3, exhale 5
Meditation - “my voice is strong and confident”
Yoga and positive affirmation meditation
Past Guest Speaker: Cecily Schmidt
Program attendees get the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the qualities that make them each unique. They are guided through a short yoga practice then write poems and create visual artwork to express the unique characteristics that make them who they are. We close by sharing our poems with each other.
Responsibility
Apply decision making skills to make a health-enhancing choice.
Analyze how family, peers, media, culture, and technology influence health decisions and behaviors.
Group discussion with the following prompts:
What does self-responsibility mean to you?
What are you responsible for?
What are the benefits of self-responsibility?
What about social media?
Mindfulness:
Breathing exercise- inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4,
Meditation “I am fully present.”
Discussion and activities:
Revolve around the importance of social media awareness, and being a steward of our environment and community.
Past Guest Speaker: Emily McMason “Living in a Social Media World” It can be a great way to connect. It can also disconnect us from what’s important. We’ll talk about some cool research--the bathing suit test and the kitchen table test. We'll look at some not-so-little laws--how old do you actually have to be to have a snapchat account? We'll dive into brain behavior--what happens inside your head when your device buzzes at you? And talk about how to decide what to share on social media and with whom.
Analyze how family, peers, media, culture, and technology influence health decisions and behaviors.
Group discussion with the following prompts:
What does self-responsibility mean to you?
What are you responsible for?
What are the benefits of self-responsibility?
What about social media?
Mindfulness:
Breathing exercise- inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4,
Meditation “I am fully present.”
Discussion and activities:
Revolve around the importance of social media awareness, and being a steward of our environment and community.
Past Guest Speaker: Emily McMason “Living in a Social Media World” It can be a great way to connect. It can also disconnect us from what’s important. We’ll talk about some cool research--the bathing suit test and the kitchen table test. We'll look at some not-so-little laws--how old do you actually have to be to have a snapchat account? We'll dive into brain behavior--what happens inside your head when your device buzzes at you? And talk about how to decide what to share on social media and with whom.
Self Care
Gain tools for calming the nervous system and self-soothing
Learn the importance of taking care of selves
Explain how stress management techniques positively impact health
Develop a personal stress management plan
Investigate validity of health and wellness information, products, and services
Group discussion with the following prompts:
Mindfulness:
Lead girls in a breath work activity; breathe inhale 3, exhale 5 and meditate “here and now, present moment.”
Practice using PACE brain gym exercises to calm the nervous system.
Facilitator lead discussion on examples of self care:
Past Guest Speaker: Jennifer Johnson “Get Out of My Hair, Toxins in Personal Care”
Teens are a primary target for sale of personal care products – yet some ingredients used to make cosmetics, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, and hair dye have been linked to cancer and may cause reproductive and environmental harm. We will discuss toxins in personal care products and alternatives teens can choose to protect themselves. We’ll learn about health concerns, how to read labels, helpful websites, and safer alternatives. The students will make an all-natural lip balm to take home, to remind them they can keep looking and smelling good without toxic products.
After the guest presenter, program attendees are given time and space to dance to music!
Learn the importance of taking care of selves
Explain how stress management techniques positively impact health
Develop a personal stress management plan
Investigate validity of health and wellness information, products, and services
Group discussion with the following prompts:
- What do you do for self-care?
- How do you self-soothe?
- How do you deal with stress?
- Benefits of positive thinking.
Mindfulness:
Lead girls in a breath work activity; breathe inhale 3, exhale 5 and meditate “here and now, present moment.”
Practice using PACE brain gym exercises to calm the nervous system.
Facilitator lead discussion on examples of self care:
- taking breaks
- staying hydrated
- eating well
- getting enough sleep
- proper hygiene.
Past Guest Speaker: Jennifer Johnson “Get Out of My Hair, Toxins in Personal Care”
Teens are a primary target for sale of personal care products – yet some ingredients used to make cosmetics, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, and hair dye have been linked to cancer and may cause reproductive and environmental harm. We will discuss toxins in personal care products and alternatives teens can choose to protect themselves. We’ll learn about health concerns, how to read labels, helpful websites, and safer alternatives. The students will make an all-natural lip balm to take home, to remind them they can keep looking and smelling good without toxic products.
After the guest presenter, program attendees are given time and space to dance to music!
Our Conscious Minds Conscious Bodies™ programs promote health and wellbeing through intentional sexual education focused on:
Anatomy and Menstruation | Boundaries and Consent | Puberty, Positive Body Image, and Social Media Awareness | Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Self-Care, Resilience, and Relationships
Anatomy and Menstruation | Boundaries and Consent | Puberty, Positive Body Image, and Social Media Awareness | Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Self-Care, Resilience, and Relationships
Discrimination or Hostility Due to Gender Identity or sexual orientation
Recommended Mitigations:
E4G program curricula are trauma informed, guided by WA Education Standards, and designed to provide nurturing, encouraging, and inclusive spaces.
We support and affirm LGBTQ attendees, while providing information that is crucial to becoming an LGBTQ ally.
Conscious Minds Conscious BodiesTM - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Gender and sexuality are beautiful spectrums. We explore the difference between gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, as well as sexual and romantic orientation. We also discuss where our ideas of gender roles come from and how we can all work together to create a safe community.
Past Guest Speaker: Sara Kukkonen
Learning Outcomes
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
Conscious Minds Conscious BodiesTM - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Gender and sexuality are beautiful spectrums. We explore the difference between gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, as well as sexual and romantic orientation. We also discuss where our ideas of gender roles come from and how we can all work together to create a safe community.
Past Guest Speaker: Sara Kukkonen
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how we limit ourselves and others by using stereo-types or social conditioning
- Gain or deepen an understanding of the ways biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression may be different among people
- Gain knowledge and skills to explore attitudes that affirm the dignity and worth of people of all sexual orientations.
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
- H1.Se5.2a Understand that there is a range of gender roles and expression.
- H1.Se5.2b Understand importance of treating others with respect regarding gender expression.
- H2.Se5.5a Describe how media, society, and culture can influence ideas regarding gender roles, identity, and expression.
Bullying, cyberbullying & consuming media in excessive, unhealthy ways
Recommended Mitigations:
E4G program curricula are trauma informed, guided by WA Education Standards, and designed to provide nurturing, encouraging, and inclusive spaces.
We address bullying, cyberbullying, and unhealthy consumption of media by promoting and teaching:
- positive body image
- self-love
- self-care
- resilience
- strategies for building health relationships
- strategies for navigating social media during puberty
- strategies for being an advocate of self and others
Click on a theme to view the curriculum
Empowerment
Part of the Empowerment Program
Learning Outcomes:
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the importance of having a strong sense of self when faced with societal stressors or social media challenges
- Create positive pathways to embrace our authentic selves through empowering activities.
- Learn ways to boost our self-esteem to lead us towards empowerment of self and others.
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
- H1.So1.4a Compare and contrast high and low self esteem
- H1.So1.4b Understand the connection between self-esteem and healthy decision making
- H1.So1.HSbUnderstand changes in self esteem can occur as people mature
- H8.So5.5 Advocate for self and others to prevent bullying, harassment, and intimidation
Self-Care, Resilience, and Relationships
Part of the Conscious Minds Conscious BodiesTM Program
Learning Outcomes:
Past Guest Speaker Amber Jenson:
We will learn what resilience is and how to build it so we can face challenges feeling empowered and capable. We’ll explore ways to improve our physical, mental and emotional well-being so that we can recover more quickly when we experience challenges, focus on problem solving, and keep a positive outlook. We will recognize how positive connections with ourselves and others can enhance our resilience and support us through challenging times.
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
Learning Outcomes:
- Define resilience and explore how we foster it in our lives
- Consider how to cultivate loving relationships with self and others
- Prepare participants to be best friends and loving partners and engage in positive relationships
- Gain proficiency in listening, being assertive, and using refusal skills
Past Guest Speaker Amber Jenson:
We will learn what resilience is and how to build it so we can face challenges feeling empowered and capable. We’ll explore ways to improve our physical, mental and emotional well-being so that we can recover more quickly when we experience challenges, focus on problem solving, and keep a positive outlook. We will recognize how positive connections with ourselves and others can enhance our resilience and support us through challenging times.
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
- H1.So1.5a Explain how high self-esteem is a sign of emotional well-being
- H1.So4.3a Describe importance of being aware of one’s own feelings
- H1.So4.5a Understand ways to manage difficult emotions
- H4.W6.3b Recognize how to ask for needs
Puberty, Positive Body Image, Social Media Awareness
Part of the Conscious Minds Conscious Bodies Program
Learning Outcomes:
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
Past Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Swanson "Self Image & Social Media Awareness"
We cover various terms in regards to body image such as body positivity, body negativity, and body neutrality. We discuss what shapes our body image and how social media can play a part. There will be a partner activity and then we will have an art project where we decorate mirrors with empowering words and art.
Past Guest Speaker: Michele Drake "Anatomy, Puberty, and Menstruation"
Girls learn about the anatomical names and roles of internal and external reproductive organs. We discuss the journey of the egg and the role of menstruation while we make our anatomy collage.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss and normalize changes that occur with puberty
- Learn the power of self-love and how to enhance it
- Learn how to navigate bodies and beings with compassion, kindness, and respect
- Consider how social media impacts body image
- Learn how positive or negative body image can affect our attitudes, decisions, and behaviors
WA Health Education Core Ideas:
- H1.Se.1.3 Recognize accurate names for body parts, including
- internal and external reproductive anatomy
- H1.Se2.5a Identify ways to manage physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty
- H1.Se2.5 b Describe how puberty and physical development can vary considerably
- H1.Se3.5 Recognize puberty prepares the body for reproduction
- H1.So1.5a Explain how high self-esteem is a sign of emotional well-being
- H1.So2.5 Describe influence of peers and social media on body image
Past Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Swanson "Self Image & Social Media Awareness"
We cover various terms in regards to body image such as body positivity, body negativity, and body neutrality. We discuss what shapes our body image and how social media can play a part. There will be a partner activity and then we will have an art project where we decorate mirrors with empowering words and art.
Past Guest Speaker: Michele Drake "Anatomy, Puberty, and Menstruation"
Girls learn about the anatomical names and roles of internal and external reproductive organs. We discuss the journey of the egg and the role of menstruation while we make our anatomy collage.
Lack of Social Support & Affirming Spaces
All of our programming is designed to fill an obvious gap in social support and affirming spaces for girls at a critical phase of their development.
Empowering girls is a crucial step towards shifting our collective understanding of what it means to be human, value ourselves and each other, and our shared world. We are working with girls to support them in recognizing their ability to not only participate in this shift in human consciousness, but to lead the way in bringing about a more conscious, compassionate society.
Empowerment 4 Girls exists to provide girls with the tools, skills, and support network to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally in their adolescence and throughout their lives.
Empowering girls is a crucial step towards shifting our collective understanding of what it means to be human, value ourselves and each other, and our shared world. We are working with girls to support them in recognizing their ability to not only participate in this shift in human consciousness, but to lead the way in bringing about a more conscious, compassionate society.
Empowerment 4 Girls exists to provide girls with the tools, skills, and support network to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally in their adolescence and throughout their lives.
Additional resources for anyone who is considering suicide or knows someone who is:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Twelve-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide
The Trevor Project Help line
1-866-488-7386
Teenagers Guide to Depression
Are you feeling suicidal?
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Twelve-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide
The Trevor Project Help line
1-866-488-7386
Teenagers Guide to Depression
Are you feeling suicidal?
Compassionate, Effective Communication
Communication is a lot more work than talking; telling each other how we feel and what we think, expressing our dreams, desires and disappointments. It requires deep listening, observation, personal reflection, and action based on understanding the truth as it is, not how we want it to be. With these practices we begin to open more fully to what others are expressing in conversation, as we strive together for a better understanding of ourselves, each other and the world, that together, we are creating and sharing. This article from Creating The Future offers tips and resources for learning and practicing compassionate listening; a skill we all can use some help with throughout our lifetimes.
Amaze - Age appropriate discussion resources on the web
Pizza Klatch
Fosters resilience in LGBTQ+ youth in Olympia
360-339-7574
Stonewall Youth Olympia
Events and peer support for youth - listing of doctors and therapists who are supportive of LGBTQ+ youth
360-888-4273 (call or text)
Emergency - Trevor Hotline
24 hour suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth
1-800-850-8078
Pizza Klatch
Fosters resilience in LGBTQ+ youth in Olympia
360-339-7574
Stonewall Youth Olympia
Events and peer support for youth - listing of doctors and therapists who are supportive of LGBTQ+ youth
360-888-4273 (call or text)
Emergency - Trevor Hotline
24 hour suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth
1-800-850-8078
