Teen Suicide - What You Need To Know - Maximed Turkey

What is Teen Suicide?

It is a growing problem in the nation. Teen suicide is the tragic death of a teenager, usually, between the ages of 13 and 19, that takes place by his or her hand. Suicide is typically an intensely private act that leaves the friends and family mourning with intense feelings of guilt and confusion.

What causes a teen to attempt suicide?

The causes of teen suicide are complex. However, some of the most common causes include:

• Family history of mental illness or substance abuse
• The recent death of a loved one
• Divorce
• Physical/sexual abuse
• Physical illness
• Adolescence (which is often marked by hormonal changes, stress, and an increase in risky behaviour)
• Bullying or social rejection;
• Feeling like no one cares about them, and trying to cope with them more than is believed possible.

Which teens are at risk for suicide?

Factors that put teens at an increased risk for suicide include:

• Being female
• Being LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual);
• Having an illness or disability;
• Being bullied
• Having a parent who has died by suicide or is suicidal.

Little research has been done on the effects of media exposure on teenage girls. However, the limited research that does exist reveals that exposure to media violence can contribute to suicidal behaviour.

A majority of studies have shown increased rates of depression and anxiety in young people who watch television for more than two hours each day, including violent programs promoting drug use, fighting, and other risky behaviours.

What can you do to help?

The best way to help someone who may be dealing with suicidal thoughts, even if it's just a friend or co-worker, is to try and get them talking about what they might be going through. When we open up about what we're feeling it not only helps us find words for our pain but it helps others understand how we're feeling too.

What are the warning signs of teen suicide?

In addition to the warning signs for suicide listed above, the following could be potential warning signs:

• Talking or writing about death or suicide in a way that seems beyond a normal sadness over a loss.
• Withdrawing from their usual social activities and friends.
• Parents reporting that their child is sleeping too much, eating poorly or not at all, and declining grades in school. This may be because unemployment has changed a teen's normal routine or because depression has made them tired and unmotivated.

How is a teen diagnosed as being suicidal?

To diagnose a teen as being suicidal, several factors need to be considered which include:

1. Mental health history:

·    Has the teen been hospitalized or has he or she previously attempted suicide?

·    Has he or she been diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, or another psychiatric illness?

·    Is there a family history of mental illness?

·    Is there a family history of suicide?

2. Acting-out behaviours:

If the teen has threatened self-harm (e.g. saying "I wish I could kill myself") or has made a plan for how they might commit suicide (e.g. stealing a prescription pill bottle from home), there is cause for concern and immediate action should be taken.

The risk of suicide goes up if a person has already made a serious attempt and has no plans to seek help after the first attempt was unsuccessful, or if the person is severely depressed or abusing alcohol or drugs.

What can I do if I find out a friend is suicidal?

The best thing you can do is to see your friend or family member and ask them what's going on. Keep in mind that you should never promise not to tell anyone about what they tell you, but it's important to get them help. If your friend refuses help, you must get professional help for that person.

What can I do if I know someone who is suicidal?

If you know someone who is suicidal, ask them "Why?" A lot of the time, we think we know why our friends or family members feel that way, but we never really do, and asking helps. Then just listen to what they have to say.

If they don't want to talk about it, tell them you're there for them whenever they're ready. If your friend does admit he or she is thinking about suicide, ask them what kind of help they need. You can offer to go with your friend as they speak to a professional or go with him or her to the hospital.