'Volatile mix': Kids at risk for suicide can get guns, report finds

[nolabear]

3. Normal kids exhibit many behaviors that in adults would be considered mental illness.

This is an important factor. Adolescents are often frightened, obsessive, impulsive beyond reason, engage in magical thinking, are deeply narcissistically wounded a lot of the time, and all this can be within the norm for that age. You all know how we joke about them, how impossible they are. It's because they ARE. Hormones are changing them at a rate that's disorienting and frightening. They're expected to be secure when they have no idea who they are any more. Being acceptable is paramount as they begin to feel sexual and to long for others to find them attractive. Their emotions are roller-coaster rides, and they're afraid to look weird so won't ask questions that would help calm them. Some direct it inward and some outward (and combinations of the two).

When the family and school and society helps them to contain those feelings and keeps them away from things that can harm them or those they despise today (and may be best friends with tomorrow) then they, and we, have a far better chance of them growing up, getting some perspective, and understanding how very much more there is to life than that asshole who bullies them or the "unacceptable" thoughts and feelings they might have.

This doesn't mean no kids have mental illness. Sadly, some do, and need extreme care.

Keep your guns and your drugs inaccessible and let that kid know they are valuable, that their gifts haven't manifested yet, and that the world needs them.