Teen Suicide: Is Your Child At Risk?

One can expect to find depressing news when checking web feeds or national news, but in recent months the surge in stories of teenagers committing suicide has left people across the country heartbroken and saddened. The recent events surrounding the death of Tyler Clementi, a promising musician and Rutgers students, have inspired friends and even celebrities to publicly call for a way to prevent future unnecessary deaths. To paraphrase Ellen DeGeneres when talking about these recent suicides, when one teenager commits suicide it is a tragedy, when several do it is a crisis.

As the parent of a teenager, you may be able to empathize with your child, having lived through uncomfortable years and what seemed at the time to be an inordinate amount of stress. From age ten through college, young people are subject to varying degrees of pressure: the drive to do well in school, the desire to be accepted by their peers, and the goals of succeeding in sports, music, and more. passions When things don’t seem to be going well, discouragement can lead some to believe that the only solution is to permanently withdraw from the situation and from life.

To work on teen suicide prevention, it is important to understand what prompts a young person to consider it and move on. Some events that can lead to a teenager taking his or her life include:

1) Persistent bullying. Unfortunately, recent news has shown an increase in this behavior. Teens who are teased for their religious affiliation, sexual orientation, weight, financial status, and other reasons can allow teasing to take hold and consume. Some, like Phoebe Prince, decide that there is no relief for cruel jokes.

2) Depression and similar disorders. Adolescents with clinical depression or other mental illnesses tend to be at higher risk. Minor problems, such as failing an exam or being excluded from a sports team, can emerge as major problems that are too difficult to bear.

3) Unrelated illnesses or accidents. Some teens who survive accidents and have scars, or lose a limb, may think they are permanently damaged or useless and choose death over a life of disability.

4) Problems at home. Parental divorce, financial problems, and the death of a loved one have been attributed to some self-inflicted teenage deaths. If a sibling or parent dies suddenly, for example, subsequent depression and grief can lead one to find peace in that way.

Of course, teens who have suffered one of the above may not consider suicide, however, if you are concerned about your child’s mental behavior, it is important to look for signs and take steps to give your child the help they need to resolve their problems. problems. . Some things to keep in mind include:

1) Obvious behavior changes at home and school. Does your child seem more moody and calm? You may be less willing to participate in school events or socialize, and your grades may have dropped a lot.

2) Loss of interest in activities. If your child ever lived to play a favorite sport or musical instrument, but no longer practices or plays, this should tell you that something is wrong.

3) Appearance changes. Your teen may not be as meticulous in dressing and grooming, or may have less of an appetite. Such self-critical behavior may suggest apathy towards life in general.

4) Extreme and unusual behavior and dialogue. Listen to your teenager. If you start hearing suggestions that their world is better without them, or vocal wishes to die, don’t dismiss them as mere heartbreak. If you notice that your teen has been giving away prized possessions, you can signal a “settlement of affairs” before you take action.

While the signs mentioned above are indicative of other behaviors, it is safe to take action and talk to your teen. If you can’t get her to open up to you, see a professional who specializes in suicide prevention.

Above all else, be present and let your child know that he is loved and that the problems he is experiencing now will fade in relevance and severity over time. A popular mantra says that “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” Make sure they know.