Strong family and community connect

Strong family and community connections and supports
Parents and other family members can have an enormous influence—positive or negative—on adolescent girls’ physical and mental well-being. A dysfunctional family can contribute to suicide and suicidal behaviors, whereas a caring, nurturing, and supportive family can buffer youth from suicidal behaviors. This has been found to be especially true among younger teenage girls. Strong connections to families and community resources are among the most significant protective factors.