September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this year’s theme for World Suicide Prevention Day was, “Changing the Narratives on Suicide: A New Story on Suicide.” The World Health Organization’s theme invited everyone to reframe how we discuss mental health; yet this challenge compels us to highlight the particular threat of suicidality among youth we serve – adoptees, homeless youth, and youth in foster care. Children’s Aid Society of Alabama works closely with these groups, providing support through our Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC), Project Independence (PI) and Independent Living (IL) programs. Bringing awareness to the unique challenges these youth face helps all members of our community take meaningful steps toward prevention and healing.
Vulnerable Youth and Suicide Risk
The unfortunate reality we must grapple with is that adoptees, homeless youth, and youth in foster care are at an increased risk of mental health struggles, including suicidal ideation and behaviors. Research indicates that adoptees face challenges such as identity issues, feelings of abandonment, and unresolved grief, which can exacerbate mental health issues. An adult adoptee we work with stated, that regardless of how wonderful an adoptee’s experience may be, “all adoption stories begin with loss.” The grief youth in foster care and adoptees carry is unique. Helping youth in foster care and adoptees process this grief and learn how navigate life while shouldering this heavy load is complex. So complex in fact, that APAC is hosting a two-part webinar training series on this very topic with grief expert Andy McNiel, M.A. The first part of the series was held earlier this month, and we invite our readers to join us on October 8th for the conclusion of the series, which will empower us with actionable ways Caregivers & Supportive Aids can truly “be there” to support our grieving children and adolescents. Additionally, youth in foster care often experience instability from multiple moves, various forms of trauma, and neglect, that contribute to their heightened vulnerability to mental health concerns. APAC has an on-demand webinar available that presents strategies for Suicide Prevention that is a must watch for parents and professionals.
Homeless youth are another high-risk group, with studies linking their unstable living conditions to higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts. It is also important to recognize the overlap between youth homelessness and foster care. Research suggests that 31 percent to 46 percent of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26. Compounding the pain and uncertainty that goes along with housing instability is the fact that many unhoused youth that had been in foster care were more likely to have spent time in juvenile detention, jail, or prison; more likely to identify as LGBTQI+ with no supportive connections; less likely to be in school or employed…all of this volatility adds up to the increased likelihood of young people finding themselves in situations where they feel trapped. Unable to build a life they want to live because they are trapped in survival mode. What a substantial mental load to hold.
Changing the Narrative: Lived Experiences Matter
At the core of all child welfare initiatives is the charge to lean in and listen to the lived experiences of those impacted by the systems we have in place. Whether it is a young person navigating the complexities of the foster care system, an adoptee grappling with issues of identity and belonging, or a young, unhoused mother to be living in fear of what tomorrow might bring for her child to be and for herself; their stories provide crucial insights into how we can offer effective care and support.
The National Institutes of Health issued a paper in 2020, Suicide in Foster Care: A High Priority Safety Concern encouraging all stakeholders to be involved in promoting universal suicide screening for youths in foster care, including behavioral-health providers, primary-care doctors, supervisors, directors of agencies, foster parents, and case managers. We all have a role to play in supporting our youth. For a first-hand perspective, about the intersection of adoption and mental health, Adoption and Suicidality: An Anthology of Stories, Poems, and Resources for Adoptees, Families, Healthcare Professionals, and Allies (2024) was compiled by Beth Syverson, founder of Unraveling Adoption and the presenter of a popular APAC training titled, Adoption and Addiction: What I Wish I Had Known. This anthology was published just last month and has received positive reviews. The importance of these stories cannot be overstated, they help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, while encouraging more open and supportive conversations.
Accessible Mental Health Services is a Must
Children’s Aid Society of Alabama, is proud to offer FREE counseling services to Alabama’s adoptees of all ages through our APAC program. These services are vital for adoptees who may be processing trauma, loss, or identity-related issues, and they are available to adoptees of all ages whether they were adopted with APAC’s free supportive services or not. Counseling offers a safe, supportive environment for adoptees to explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping mechanisms; their services are offered in-person in our Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile offices. APAC counseling team members are all master’s level, adoption competent professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience; they also offer telehealth services if it is more convenient.
For youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness, access to trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health care is critical. Our PI and IL programs mentor the youth they serve and help connect them to mental health supports that help meet their needs. There are also a growing number of mental services offered to help curtail suicidality that everyone should be aware of. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, in partnership with VitAL created the Connect Alabama App. This free app helps Alabama residents find mental health services within their immediate location. The National Runaway Safeline 1800runaway is a national crisis line for runaway and homeless youth that operates 24/7 and helps youth connect with resources in their area. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is open to people of all ages nationwide and can also be reached 24/7 when you text or call 988.
With the right support, we can help young people write the next chapter in their life stories and create a future filled with hope and healing.
How You Can Help
- Listen: Take the time to hear the stories of those with lived experience in foster care, adoption, or homelessness. Listening without judgment can make a significant difference.
- Support Policies: Advocate for policies like the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, which funds resources and protection for vulnerable youth.
- Get Involved: Consider becoming a foster parent, adoptive parent, mentor, or volunteer. Building strong connections with these young people can offer them the stability and support they need to thrive. Famed author and foster alum, Josh Shipp, reminds us of the power of one caring adult to change a life. Each and every one of us has the potential to help a child in a profound way.
Please visit our website to learn more about our services and contact us to discuss how you can help.
Arema Granger
Marketing Communications Coordinator
