Warning Signs of Teen Suicide
Warning Signs of Teen Suicide
According to John Hopkins: Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24. The CDC reports that: Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys. Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides.
Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls.
Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys.
Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides.
What causes a teen to attempt to suicide? From the research it can be a number of things, during these teen years, normal development can be unsettling when you combine it with other events such as:
o Dealing with rejection, failure, breakups
o They have an inability to see that they can turn their life around-and that suicide is a permanent response, not a solution, to a temporary problem.
o Changes in families-divorce, moving
o Changes in friendships
o Problems in school
o Other losses
Risk factors?
o Those that have one or more mental health or substance abuse problems
o Impulsive behavior
o Loss
o Being Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, or any other sexual minority youth
o Being adopted
o Family history of mental and substance abuse problems
o Family history of suicide
o Family violence
o Past suicide attempt
o Gun in the home
o Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others such as from family, peers, movies
Warning signs:
o Changes in eating, and sleeping habits
o Loss of interest in usual activities
o Withdrawal from friends and family
o Acting-out behaviors and running away
o Alcohol and drug use
o Neglecting one’s personal appearance
o Unnecessary risk-taking
o Obsession with death and dying
o More physical complaints are often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o Loss of interest in school or schoolwork
o Feeling bored
o Problems focusing
o Feeling he or she wants to die
Lack of response to praise
Another warning sign is making plans or efforts toward committing suicide:
Says “I want to kill myself,” or “I’m going to commit suicide.”
Gives verbal hints, such as “I won’t be a problem much longer,” or “If anything happens to me, I want you to know ….”
Gives away favorite possessions or throws away important belongings
Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
May express weird thoughts
Writes 1 or more suicide notes
Treatment includes:
o Individual therapy
o Family therapy
o Possible Inpatient hospital admission
Prevention:
o Recognize the risk factors and warnings signs for suicide
o Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you need advice:
o https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
o Seek professional help
o Make sure guns and medications are not easily accessible
o Pay attention-listen to what your child is saying and watch they are acting
o Discourage isolation
o Monitor social media
o Encourage healthy lifestyle
Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
