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What every parent needs to know about the 'back-to-school necklace' trend
The new school year is just weeks away, and as parents comb through their to-do lists, a disturbing trend called a 'back-to-school necklace' has circulated on the internet.
The trend refers to a noose as a 'necklace' and expresses the suicidal thoughts some kids have on the heels of going back to school.
The dark meme seems to resurface at the end of the summer each year, and although some regard it as a joke about dreading school, experts warn of the negative connotations of the trend.
Dr. Chelsea Hetherington, a developmental psychologist, wrote in Family Education that jokes about suicide can trivialize the issue and impact students who are struggling with mental health.
'The 'back to school necklace' trend is just one of many ways that teens might joke about suicide and self-harm without recognizing the consequences,' Heatherington argues.
The disturbing meme often pictures a noose with the caption, 'Guys look it's a back to school necklace' or 'Back to school necklace. Only $4.99.'
Experts warn that parents should be on alert for this phrase and teach their children that joking about harming themselves has serious implications.
Samantha Westhouse, a psychotherapist and maternal-infant health social worker, told Parade that parents can facilitate open dialogue by asking their children and teens if they've heard of the meme.
The meme pictures a noose with captions like 'Guys look its a back to school necklace' or 'Back to school necklace. Only $4.99'
'It's always important to refrain from judgment so your child feels comfortable sharing how they are feeling,' she said.
Emily Cavaleri, a school social worker and child and family therapist, told the publication that if a student refers to a 'back-to-school necklace,' there's a chance that they're struggling with their mental health.
'Whether your child is seriously contemplating suicide or they use this phrase as a cry for help, signs you may see [include] spending time alone, acting withdrawn, irritability, crying easily and often, sleeping more than usual, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, giving away belongings, and overall, a change in behavior,' she added.
Although many kids and teens may use the meme as a form of dark humor, youth suicide is a serious problem.
Suicide is responsible for more deaths than any major medical illness for those ages 10 to 24 years old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Data cited by the AAP found that roughly 7-8 percent of adolescents attempt suicide every year, with around 17 percent reporting suicidal thoughts.
Around 157,000 individuals in this age group receive emergency medical care a year for self-harm.
The United States Surgeon General declared a mental health crisis for children and teens in 2021, citing stressors like gun violence and the impact of social media on young people's lives.
Heatherington suggested that parents should be aware of the signs indicating mental health struggles in their kids and keep an open dialogue on the subject.
