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Keywords

Teens, Parents, Family FIRO, Suicide, Communication

Abstract

This article explores the critical role of parent-teen communication in the mental well-being of teenagers, with a particular focus on its connection to suicide risk. A particular focus is on teens who live in Utah as the suicide rate for Utah teens and young adults is almost twice the national average. Despite the focus on families and religion in Utah, a significant number of teens continue to struggle with loneliness, hopelessness, and even thoughts of suicide. One key contributing factor to this struggle is the lack of open, supportive communication between Utah teens and their parents. The absence of effective dialogue, even around religion, can leave teens feeling isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported exacerbating feelings of despair. Drawing from recent research and personal case studies, this article examines how communication barriers contribute to the emotional and psychological distress of teens and highlights the importance of fostering an environment where open conversation is encouraged. The article also provides recommendations for parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals on how to bridge these communication gaps, be more aware of suicidal ideation and proactive approaches to reducing the risk of suicide among adolescents.

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