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Teen Suicide Guide
Every year thousands of families are faced with teenage suicides. Considered the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24, suicide doesn't just happen. Unlike adults who have the ability to seek out help on their own, teenagers must usually rely on teachers, friends, parents or other caregivers to recognize their hopeless suffering.
Teenagers face a host of pressures, from biological changes that puberty bring to questions and struggles with their own identity. Transitioning from child to adult also brings parental conflict as youth start asserting their independence. It isn't always easy with all this drama to tell the difference between depression and normal teenage moodiness. There are; however, significant signs in adolescents before an attempt is ever made.
Seriously depressed teens often think about, speak of, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide. An alarming and increasing number of suicide attempts are successful, so suicide thoughts or behavior must always be taken seriously.
Suicide Warnings in Depressed Teens
Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like, "I'd be better off dead."; "I wish I could disappear forever." or "There's no way out. "; "No one would even miss me if I was gone.", "I can't take living here anymore."
Saying good-bye to friends and family as if it were for the last time.
Giving away personal items that held or hold special importance to them.
Verbalized or written threats.
Feelings of hopelessness/helplessness.
Self-abusive behaviors like cutting, taking pills, excessive piercing, or tattoos.
Personality changes such as withdrawal from friends and activities, aggressiveness, unusual moodiness.
Prior history of verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Isolating.
Tearfulness or frequent crying.
Lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
Difficulty concentrating.
Restlessness and agitation.
Unusual anger directed at self or others.
Change in academic performance. Skipping/Missing school.
Chronic tardiness
Previous suicide attempts.
Taking part in high risk behaviors such as promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, reckless driving.
Consider how long the signs and symptoms have been present along with their severity. How different is the adolescent is acting from their usual self? Some of the above behaviors are to be expected as teens struggle through these transitional years.
An important note to consider is that a traumatic event does not have to be personally experienced by a young person. Suicidal ideation can be triggered by trauma in a close friend or family’s life. Due to the flux and range of emotions that teenagers feel, remember they haven't learned to properly process trauma which can be triggered by hearing or witnessing a traumatic event first hand or even in the media.
Often as a friend or family member close to a teenager contemplating suicide, loved ones may feel as though they are betraying suicidal thoughts or behavior that has been shared with them. When there seems to be no hope or close friends and family have rejected or not taken suicidal warning sign seriously, you as a Christian friend, may be the last hope a teen has to stand in the gap for them with prayer, seeking resources, or providing support.
Bad moods, and acting out may be typical for every teenager but depression is something entirely different. Serious depression strikes teenagers more often than thought. Depression is highly treatable but unfortunately only one in five teens get professional help for their depression. When a young person shows signs of severe depression and suicidal ideation, you should:
Listen carefully to what they are saying.
Don't dismiss their feeling and whenever possible share your concerns and your own feelings or helplessness, fear, and sadness openly with them regarding what they are going through.
Share with them times that you have felt alone, hopeless, depressed and scared. This shows them they are not alone.
Share options with them other than suicide and make it clear that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation or feeling. Most suicidal persons regardless of age, are so engulfed in feelings of hopelessness that they may not see any other solutions to their situation or feelings.
Notify key people in the life of your friend or child you believe is contemplating suicide. Placing support systems into place are key in keeping a suicidal teen safe.
Ask openly if they have a plan.
Let them know that you are there for them unconditionally.
Hold back from asking too many questions, but make it clear that you're ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.
Get a "Promise to Keep Safe Contract" as discussed in last blog Youth Suicide Part II.
Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teen begins to talk. The important thing is that they are communicating.
Acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling.
Don't try to talk them out of their depression, even if what they are feeling appears irrational to you. Validate their feelings or he or she will feel like you are not taken them seriously and further shut you out.
Be aware of internet addiction. Teenagers may go online and use the computer to further isolate. Excessive computer use may be a warning sign. When teens are very depressed or suicidal they are more susceptible to cyber crimes. A vulnerable teen is an ideal candidate for an internet predator.
Carefully monitor internet and computer use. While protecting your teen, you don't want them to feel as though you are violating their privacy.
If you are unsure that a teenager in your life is suffering from severe depression or considering suicide, address your concerns immediately. Address the troubling emotions and behaviors that you are concerned about.
Whether or not the problem turns out to be depression or suicide ideation, it still needs to be addressed. Ignoring concerns for fear that you may be jumping to conclusions can turn out to be a fatal mistake. Be specific about behaviors or specific signs that are of concern. Often teens have difficulty expressing their emotions and fear being misunderstood or may feel ashamed.
If the teen you are concerned about denies that anything is wrong or has no explanation for behaviors that have caused a red flag, trust your instincts.
Denial is a very strong emotion and adolescents may not understand that what they are experiencing is a result of depression.
To sum things up, there are many misconceptions when it comes to teens, depression and suicide. Always take threats seriously and utilize as many sources, tools, and people as possible to keep an adolescent safe. For a free consultation or suicide risk assessment, call Dr. Regina M. Baldwin at 417-731-8354. Always call 911 first in the event of a life threatening situation or if you are with a teen who has or is seriously considering following through on suicidal threats. Dr. Baldwin provides services nationwide via phone or video conferencing. Don’t delay.
Your comments, experiences and opinions are encouraged and help others.
