Teenage Suicides: Who Is At Risk?
Who & What to Look For
There are several risk factors for teen suicide. Parents and everyone need to familiarize themselves with them.
- Aggressive behavior
- Disruptive behavior
- Substance abuse (any type)
- Family history of suicide, mental disorders and/or substance abuse
- Abuse (mental, emotional, physical or sexual) and violence
- Mental, emotional or physical disorders (feeling different)
- The #1 Cause – Depression
These factors can impact the tumultuous feelings experienced by teenagers, leading to feelings of rage or helplessness and a general feeling that life is not worth living. It is important to take teen mood swings and emotions seriously. Things that may seem inconsequential, or fleeting, to an adult may be overwhelming to a teen who doesn’t have years of experience to learn that “things will pass”. Raging hormones from puberty can be upsetting even more to a young person who has not learned self-stabilizing techniques.
Too often, a feeling of helplessness leads to depression and hopelessness. When they are faced with problems that are out of their control, they may see themselves as worthless, helpless and doomed.
It is important to notice if a mood change occurs, and stays. For instance, a formerly easy-going child becomes gloomy or continuously argumentative, or especially, vice versa. Any change in mood or behavior should be monitored, rather than ignored.
Too often, parents think “this is just a phase”, or they are uncomfortable with broaching touchy subjects with their teen. But it is better to be concerned than to ignore subtle or overt symptoms.
Teens are at high-risk for suicide if they have:
- Made previous suicide attempts
- Talk about death as a solution to problems
- Make any comments about suicide, positive or negative (should be followed up)
- Severe mood problems
- An alcohol consumption problem
- Drug usage
- No adequate support network (friends, family, church group, peer group, extracurricular activities, other outlets)
- Exposure to domestic violence
- Alcoholism of a family member
- Recent death of a loved one
- Recent painful break-up with boyfriend or girlfriend
- Divorce in the family leading to feelings of life out-of-control
- Serious mood changes lasting more than a couple of weeks
- Becoming withdrawn from family and friends
- Dramatic changes in personal appearance
- Loss of interest in a favorite activity
- If they are gay or bisexual. Homosexual youth attempt suicide at a higher rate than heterosexual teens because they feel different from others, outcast by society, or even hated.
NOTE: Not all gay teens commit suicide, obviously, but they are at a higher risk of doing it.
In the next post, I’ll share some further self-destructive behaviors that parents should be alert to. Also, much more information about teen depression and tell-tale signs that a teen is strongly considering suicide.
Brennan
Teenage Suicides: Learning About the Epidemic
Teen Suicide: How many? Who is at Risk?
Did you know that teen suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death among teenagers? Even more, it is the SECOND leading cause of death among college students! And statistics show that for every suicide that is actually accomplished, at least 25, and perhaps as many as 100, were attempted!
In this series, you’ll learn some of the statistics about teen suicide, but also the risk factors, some of the signs and symptoms to look for and methods to actually prevent suicides.
First, some statistics:
- Over 10,000 teens commit suicide each year (And this does not count teens who kill themselves through auto accidents or other dangerous behavior).
- The rate of teen suicide has increased 300% in the last 25 years.
- Nine times more females attempt suicide than males.
- Completed suicides are three to four times as many males as females, probably due to the methods utilized.
- Girls generally attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves.
- Boys tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms or hanging, and thus are generally more likely to die.
A Cry For Help!
Talk about suicide, and suicide attempts, are a cry for help. Unfortunately, teen boys are less likely to call for help so they leave less room for intervention when an attempt is made, thus they are usually more successful (sic) at suicide.
No matter how casual, or even humorous, the suicide comment may be, with teens it should ALWAYS be a warning flag. The old adage “If they talk about it, they won’t do it” is WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Teens often work themselves into a mental state that sees suicide as the best option, by practicing, and becoming more comfortable with, suicide statements and the option of suicide.
Teen suicide has reached epidemic proportions. There is so much to learn and know about recognition of who is at risk, signs and symptoms and preventative measures, that I will take each topic separately.
Now that you know how widespread the tragedy of suicide is, next, I’ll share risk factors with you. Maybe together we can work to reverse this horrendous trend, and even save a life!
Until the next post,
Brennan
