modern tools + guidance for struggling adolescents and young adults

1. THE RISING TIDE OF TEEN SUICIDE
Brian P. Lahey, M.D.
Board Certified Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist
Creator of Binary Psychology

2. Teen suicide
is on the rise.
It is on the verge of
going viral.
The present generation of
adolescents have
been raised to believe
that lifeis supposed
to be a
“happy feeling”
experience.

3. Teens are ALARMED by their own negative emotions.
FEAR
ANGER
SADNESS

4. Adolescents become dependent on
having things done FOR them.
They give away their own WILLPOWER to others,
creating a sense of vulnerability.
This flawed process
prevents
young men and women from achieving
independence.

5. Thoughts
Of
DEATH
Are
NORMAL
The natural& necessary process of detachment
IS emotionally painful & psychologically taxing.
Those who reflect worry & upset toward them,
(in response to their struggle with negative emotions & critical
thoughts toward themselves),
deprive them of the strength they NEED
to see past their current emotional state.

6. Looking to ESCAPE
-Many of today’s teens
have not been
encouraged to face
the difficulties of
life.
-They have not been
taught that struggle
yields growth.
-As a result, they
believe that negative
feelings ARE a problem
and need to be avoided
or “cured”.
-Drugs and alcohol
provide an escape
which only worsens
the situation.

7. If teenagers believe they are viCtIMs, then they will seek esCApe.
It is a heartbreaking tragedy when an adolescent succeeds in escaping life entirely.
FEELING
TRAPPED
Letting Go
may “feel like dying”,
but it is only
the child within,
scared and avoidant,
who dies.

8. In effort to protect our youth from negative
emotions,
we have taught them to fear
the future.
These adolescents have been
BLINDED to the EMPOWERMENT
that only comes from
facing and overcoming fear.

9. Teens often confuse
“feeling bad” with BEING BAD.
And because
they tend to
equate such
feelings with
value... ...some teens believe they deserveto die.

10. When a desire to “keep a child safe”, turns
into a fearof “bad things happening”
to them,
The future
takes on the
identity
of a
foreboding
threat.threat

11. Adolescents are motivated by
OUTSIDE PRESSURES.
What the world appears to take from them,
overpowers the hopeful ENERGY and unique purpose
THEY have to GIVE as treasured individuals
Of the world.

12. Fear Breeds
Love Is Not Born of Fear.

13. Believe in your adolescents. Set them free and they will LIve.
Let go of your
protectiveness
for it is only
fear in disguise.
Your fear is
their prison.
Unlock the
door so they
need not
escape..
Teach them to
fearlessly accept
and overcome
difficulty with the
power that lies
within.
Embrace every
thought and feeling
as an opportunity
to grow strength
and wisdom.