UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE
Teen suicide warning signs
It is important to take the warning signs of teen suicide seriously and to seek help if you think that you know a teenager who might be suicidal. Here are some of the things to look for:
- Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
- Problems at work and losing interest in a job
- Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use
- Behavioral problems
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Sleep changes
- Changes in eating habits
- Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance
- Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines)
- Hard time concentrating and paying attention
- Declining grades in school
- Loss of interest in schoolwork
- Risk taking behaviors
- Complains more frequently of boredom
- Does not respond as before to praise
Not all of these teen suicide warning signs will be present in cases of possible teen suicide. There are many cases in which a good student commits suicide. It is important to watch for two or three signs as indications of depression, or even teen suicidal thoughts.
Warning Signs
Prevention
Suicidal behavior in teens can lead to tragic consequences. And, with teen suicide as the third leading cause of adolescent death, it is important to realize the stakes in preventing teen suicide.
Teen suicide prevention
One of the most important aspects of teen suicide prevention is support. The teenager needs to know that you support and love him or her, and that you are willing to help him or her find hope in life again. One of the most effective ways to prevent teen suicide is to recognize the signs of suicidal thoughts and feelings, and seek professional help. Some of the most effective teen suicide prevention programs consist of identifying and treating the following problems:
• Mental and learning disorders
• Substance abuse problems
• Problems dealing with stress
• Behavior problems (such as controlling aggressive and impulsive behavior)
Factors taken into account when developing treatment for suicidal teens
When a teen feels suicidal, there are certain factors that a physician and/or mental health professional will take into account when helping to develop a suicide treatment plan. Here are some of things to be taken into consideration when developing treatment for suicidal teens:
• The extent of a teenager’s suicidal symptoms
• The overall medical history and health of a suicidal teen
• Tolerance the teenager has with regard to procedures, medications and therapies
• The seriousness of any suicide attempt or warnings by a teen
• Impressions of the risk for teen suicide at a later time
• The opinion of the parent, as well as the teen, regarding treatment preferences
Treatment for suicidal teens is created on an individual basis. Each teenager requires his or her own evaluation and a tailored treatment plan designed to specifically work with his or her needs.
All of the above issues can be difficult for a teenager to cope with, leading to helplessness and discouragement, which in turn can turn to self-destructive thoughts in order to make an escape from the seemingly insurmountable pressures of life. Getting help for underlying problems, which almost always include teen depression can lead to more effective teen suicide prevention. Your support as a teenager you know enters therapy can help him or her more effectively recover and know that there are people who want to help him or her deal with the issues of life.
Causes
While the reasons that teens commit suicide vary widely, there are some common situations and circumstances that seem to lead to such extreme measures. Some examples include:
- Bullying
- Feelings of self- worthlessness
- Peer rejection
- Poor grades
- Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence
- Physical or sexual abuse