Back-to-School Seasons are always eventful for students as they disturb their routines with their family and friends. Apart from that, tension inciting transitions in schools can put forward concerns about class work, bullying, and school violence. During the first few weeks of the new year or after the summer vacation, you may feel a sense of anxiety and resentment when the children are unable or unwilling to go. An unanticipated symptom might be an official remark on the “back-to-school necklace”.
What is the back-to-school necklace?
You might be guessing that a back to school necklace is referring to some kind of cute jewellery or some flashy item that’s popular among kids. But it’s not. The term seems innocent but in reality, it’s a slang term for the noose. It’s hyperbolic, darkly humorous and controversial.
Back to school necklace meaning
Beware, it’s not something you can ignore. It’s a term used by students before school starts. It’s a symbol of dreadfulness and anxiety about school starting. Which could be as lethal as inducing suicidal thoughts among children. It symbolizes death by hanging. To students, dying by hanging themselves is far better than going to school. Generally, you see it trending on Twitter in late July or August when school opens after summer vacations. This slang made its debut in August 2012.
Your children could show their dread in their comments;
Ugh, school is starting, it’s the season of back to school necklace then.
It seems like I need a back to school necklace.
Twitter trend
Just after the summer vacation ended, this trend has taken its heights again and you can see people tweeting about back to school necklaces.
What should parents do if they hear a child saying this slang?
First of all, make your child start the conversation rather than initiate it on your own. This will help you realise the state your child is in and how comfortable he or she is with you. It’s a method proven and advised by psychologists.
How to start a conversation with depressed children?
Start by saying that you heard the term back to school and wondered what it meant. Or ask your child, ” Does he or she know what a back to school necklace is?”
Parents shouldn’t act nonchalantly or make a judgement on their children’s mental health. Rather they should try to connect with them and tell them how they felt going to school especially if they felt dreadful. Making conservation isn’t that hard, you can ask your children about different things and tell them stories of your past. It’ll help in making your child comfortable with you and open up to you easily. This is a beautiful linking strategy used for understanding. You can tell them how you solved your problems with friends or school drama. Also, you can give them tips for coping with academic pressure.
Studies show that every 1 out of 3 High School students feel isolated and depressed but those with supportive and non-judgemental parents come out of depression easily. Therefore, one must not ignore the mental health of children.
Also read: Aim of education philosophy
What if Your child doesn’t talk to you about their mental health?
Sometimes children say this slang in front of their parents but it’s not always like that. Therefore, parents must pay extra attention to their children and their routines. In this globalized and vastly open world, many people love to share their concerns on social media platforms.
Because they think that there are a lot of people on social media that are similar to them. Secondly one could make a private account. And seek help without being judged by others, especially people close to them. As many victims of depression are worried that they might be judged by others or characterised as mentally unstable or mentally ill students. Also, there’s a threat of being labelled as an outcast among normal students. Hence, many teenagers hide the fact that they have suicidal thoughts.
Consequently, the media has been a part of our daily life. Hence, parents must not skip electronic media. They should always observe what their children are doing on social media, what they like to watch and what they don’t like.
Warning signs of suicide risk you should know
Teen depression is becoming a looming problem with the rise of the suicide rate to 44% among teenagers. Depression is an ailment that needs to be treated or else it induces a persistent feeling of sadness and boredom which eventually results in a lack of normal activity and isolation.
The start of school puts pressure on students academically, physically and mentally. Students need to cope with a new environment, follow their busy schedules and also cope with any bullying or violence that is happening in the school. This adds up a lot of pressure on them and which eventually weighs down their health. Extreme stress is the cause of all the problems.
Symptoms
Teens showcase symptoms of depression more than adults as they’re in their learning or developing phase. Knowing the symptoms and then observing them practically in our everyday life is the norm for getting rid of uncertain suicides. Pay attention to your surroundings and if you see someone showing these symptoms immediately talk to them or call 988.
Emotional changes in Teens
- Apparent crying or sadness
- The feeling of hopelessness or void
- Loss of interest
- Unable to feel joy
- Isolation from social activities
- Poor self-esteem
- The feeling of uselessness or guilt
- Trouble focusing on something
- Sensitivity to failures
- Frequent thoughts of death, suicide or dying
If you’re facing anything of this sort, immediately, contact an adult or call on the helpline at 988 suicide and crisis helping or call 911.
Behavioural changes
- Tiredness and gloominess
- Lack of energy
- Sleeping for long hours
- Inability to fall asleep or insomnia
- Social isolation
- Self-harm like cutting marks on arms or hands
- Sensitive or irritating behaviour
- Suicide attempt or planning
- Agitation or restlessness
- Change in eating habits; frequent earnings or loss of appetite
Remember!
If any of your close friends, relatives or any other person around you show such symptoms. Even if they tell you to not tell anyone, make sure to contact a truthful guardian or elder. It’s because depression can’t cure on its own. Depressive patients need professional counselling if their feeling of helplessness doesn’t go away. Don’t take this back to school necklace thing as a meme and encourage it. It’s not funny. Spread awareness around you, so you could save a life.
