As kids head back to school over the next several weeks, experts are warning parents to learn the meaning behind a new “back to school necklace” trend.
For many students, returning to the classroom can be an overwhelming time. Kids are met with an array of emotions including anxiety and stress as the start of a new school year comes around.
But if you hear your child talking about shopping for a “back to school necklace,” experts warn it likely has nothing to do with jewelry at all, but may actually be a larger cry for help.
According to Urban Dictionary, a “back to school necklace” is actually a hidden term for a noose, and refers to the feeling of suicide.
Back To School Necklace Reference on TikTok
And while not every child who picks up the trend or even uses the phrase is suicidal, it’s important to note that any reference to the back to school necklace should be taken seriously. Suicide may not be on your child’s mind, but overwhelm likely is.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared the child mental health problem in America a national emergency with suicide being the second leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24. The AAP has found that nearly 20% of all high school students contemplate suicide.
As mental health concerns among adolescence continue to skyrocket, any reference to suicide—whether it’s used casually or not—should not be brushed off.
Talk to your kids today about the “back to school necklace” trend and their mental health going into this new school year. Making these conversations comfortable, open, and having them often may just save your child’s life.
