As summer begins to wind down, it’s normal to hear about all things back-to-school. Shopping is one activity that is common to hear. Searching for the coolest folder or just right outfit to wear on the first day can and should be fun.
However, If you hear kids talking about back-to-school necklaces, it’s important to note that they’re not talking about a new piece of jewelry.
Instead, it’s a troubling phrase (that doesn’t seem alarming on the surface) you might hear in conversation or see on social media. So what exactly is a back-to-school necklace? Although it sounds like a fun accessory, this phrase has a truly dark explanation.
If you hear your child discussing shopping for a back to school necklace, be forewarned that this may not necessarily mean they are looking to purchase some new jewelry. According to Urban Dictionary, it is a euphemism for a noose and refers to the feeling of suicide as students fear the return to the social setting of school.
The return to school can be a daunting, anxiety-boosting event for many kids. Some examples taken from social media sites: “I’m about to buy my back-to-school necklace,” “I can’t wait to get a back-to-school necklace,” “Thinking about that back-to-school necklace,” “That back-to-school necklace is calling me,” “I can’t wait to wear my back-to-school necklace,” etc.
So, although a back-to-school necklace sounds innocent enough to those unaware of its real meaning, it is actually a cry for help as it’s a code for death by hanging.
The issue has become so alarming, that the American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared the child mental health problem in America a national emergency.
What’s more, suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15-24, and nearly 20% of high school students contemplate suicide.
Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The new three-digit code is a direct line for people experiencing mental health distress to seek help from trained counselors.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis, or
- Any other kind of emotion distress
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
