March 2006:  Preventing Teen Suicide

Click on the links below to go directly to that article. 

 

Knowledge is a Powerful Weapon

 

Teen suicide.  It’s a tough topic.  But unlike heart disease, bone cancer and other incurable illnesses, you don’t have to have a medical degree to help prevent it.  We encourage you to embrace awareness, actively engage in the lives of teens you know, and join the fight in beating the third leading cause of death among teens in the U.S.

 

Knowledge is a powerful weapon in this battle.  Clinically identified as Risk Factors, Protective Factors and Warning Signs, these behaviors may seem ordinary to the casual observer.  But, a closer look may reveal a risk of suicide if a teen is troubled or exhibiting several characteristics.

TEEN SUICIDE

Risk Factors

Protective Factors

that help reduce teen suicide risk

Warning Signs

?   Depression and other mood disorders

?   Substance abuse disorders

?   Low socioeconomic status

?   Childhood maltreatment

?   Parental separation or divorce

?   Interpersonal conflicts

?   Recent losses in life

?   Being sexually active

?   Access to firearms

?   Feelings of isolation

?   Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness

?   A previous suicide attempt

?  Family history of depression and suicide



 

 

?     Connectedness to family

?     Perceived school connectedness

?     Good relationships with other youth and adults

?     Academic achievement

?     Stable environment

?     Opportunities to participate in activities

?     Responsibilities for other people or pets

?     Treatment for mental or substance abuse disorders

?     Connection to a religious community

?     Sense of belonging

?     Self-worth

?     Self-motivation

?     Self-confidence

?     Help seeking behavior

?     Sense of humor

?     Faith

 

 

?   Suicide threats - direct or indirect

?   Obsession with death

?   Dramatic change in appearance or personality

?   Bizarre behavior

?   Overwhelming sense of guilt

?   Grades dropping and/or trouble concentrating

?   Change in eating or sleeping patterns

?   Gives away personal belongings

?   Withdraws from people and normal activities

?   Drug and alcohol use

?   Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

?   Not tolerating praise

?   Complains of being a bad person

?   Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression

?   Risky behavior

?   Speaks of death in a positive rather than negative way

 

** For even more specific information and resources available on the internet, please visit the Web Links below. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it does cover the initial basics.  Please note this information came from the recommended websites.

 

What Next?  The most important thing you can do is to listen and respond to what teens say.  Silence is deadly!  Other practical steps include:

 

?   Your natural response might be to “encourage” them by saying things really aren’t that bad.  This could be detrimental!  To a struggling teen, things really are as bad as they say and if you won’t accept the way they feel, it is further evidence to them that the situation is hopeless and they will never be understood.  Avoid this kind of “encouragement” at all costs!

?   Ask directly if they are struggling with suicidal thoughts.

?   Ask if they have a suicide plan.

?   Ask if they have the means to carry out the plan.

?   Break a confidence, if necessary to save a life – no secrets regarding suicide.

?   Seek professional help. Call you doctor, a counselor or go to the local ER.

?   Reassure the person that help is available, that depression is treatable and that suicidal feelings are temporary.

 

 

Web Links

America Association of Suicidology - www.suicidology.org - This site is a gateway to a lot of information and is “dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide.”

National Mental Health Association - www.mnha.org - Another site with great information and very specific, helpful fact sheets.

 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - www.aacap.org – Find family fact sheets on many topics at this site.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education - www.save.org - This site has excellent information on the relationship between depression and suicide as well as addressing common misconceptions regarding suicide.

KidsHealth - www.kidshealth.org – With links for parents, kids and teens, this is a very user-friendly site with a broad range of information.

Focus on the Family - www.focusonthefamily.org – This is a resource from a Christian perspective with an abundance of information on many topics that affect the family.

 

 

Getting Help…

If you have more questions than answers about teen suicide, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our counselors for more information at 317-575-6500. When life is so painful that suicidal thoughts are a struggle, it is always necessary to have someone to connect to and share the pain with. At the Counseling Center at the Crossing we want to help those who are suicidal and those who care about them. May we all set our hope in Christ’s eternal love for us.

 

©2005 Counseling Center at the Crossing    317-575-6500

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