How to help my teen understand suicide prevention.
Suicide is when a teen causes his or her own death on purpose. Before trying to take their own life, a teen may have thoughts of wanting to die. This is called suicidal ideation. He or she may also have suicidal behavior. That’s when a teen is focused on doing things that cause his or her own death.
- Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls.
- Girls are more likely to try to commit suicide than boys.
- Guns are used in more than half of all youth suicides.
What causes a teen to attempt suicide?
The teen years are a stressful time. They are filled with major changes. These include body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and doubt may affect a teen’s problem-solving and decision-making. He or she may also feel a pressure to succeed.
For some teens, normal developmental changes can be very unsettling when combined with other events, such as:
- Changes in their families, such as divorce, siblings moving out, or moving to a new town
- Changes in friendships
- Problems in school
- Other losses
These problems may seem too hard or embarrassing to overcome. For some, suicide may seem like a solution.
Which teens are at risk for suicide?
A teen’s risk for suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Risk factors may change over time. They are:
- One or more mental or substance abuse problems
- Impulsive behaviors
- Undesirable life events such as being bullied or recent losses, such as the death of a parent
- Family history of mental or substance abuse problems
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical, sexual, or verbal or emotional abuse
- Past suicide attempt
- Gun in the home
- Imprisonment
- Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as from family or peers, in the news, or in fiction stories
What are the warning signs of teen suicide?
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family members
- Acting-out behaviors and running away
- Alcohol and drug use
- Neglecting one’s personal appearance
- Unnecessary risk-taking
- Obsession with death and dying
- More physical complaints often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Loss of interest in school or schoolwork
- Feeling bored
- Problems focusing
- 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 things or throws away important belongings
- Becomes suddenly cheerful after being depressed
- May express strange thoughts
- Writes 1 or more suicide notes
These warning signs may seem like other health problems. Have your teen see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Also read:
5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Are Effective
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If you have exhausted your local resources and your teen has thoughts of suicide, it might be time for residential therapy. Contact us for more information.
Sources: CDC, Stanford Hospital
