News Article:
Facts About Teen Suicide
By R. Altesman
Adolescence-it can be a turbulent time. TEENAGERS
deal with a vast array of new experiences during this transitional period,
such as new relationships, decisions about the future, and the physical
changes that are taking place in their bodies.
Some TEENAGERS, however, can become
overwhelmed by the uncertainties of adolescence and feel they have nowhere
to turn. Their search for answers may lead them to begin "self-medicating"
their pain by abusing DRUGS
or ALCOHOL. Or they might
express their rage and frustration by engaging in acts of violence.
They don't want to talk about their emotions or problems because they
may think that will make them a burden or that others will make fun
of them. Too often, these TROUBLED TEENS opt instead
to take their own lives.
Suicide Signals
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are DEPRESSION,ALCOHOLor
DRUG ABUSE, and
aggressive or disruptive behaviors. If several of the following symptoms,
experiences, or behaviors are present, a mental health professional
or another trusted adult, such as a parent or a SCHOOL
counselor, should be consulted.
-
Depressed mood
-
SUBSTANCE
ABUSE
-
Frequent episodes of RUNNING
AWAY or being incarcerated
-
Family loss or instability; significant problems
with PARENTS
-
Expressions of suicidal thoughts, or talk of death
or the afterlife during moments of sadness or boredom
-
Withdrawal from friends and family
-
Difficulties in dealing with sexual orientation
-
No longer interested in or enjoying activities that
once were pleasurable
-
UNPLANNED
PREGNANCY
-
Impulsive, AGGRESSIVE
BEHAVIOR; frequent expressions of rage
ADOLESCENTS
who consider suicide generally feel alone, hopeless, and rejected. They
are especially vulnerable to these feelings if they have experienced
a loss, humiliation, or trauma of some kind: poor performance on a test,
breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, PARENTS
with alcohol or drug problems or who are abusive, or a family life affected
by parental discord, separation, or divorce. However, a TEENAGER
still may be depressed or suicidal even without any of these adverse
conditions. Teenagers who are planning to commit suicide might "clean
house" by giving away favorite possessions, cleaning their rooms, or
throwing things away. After a period of depression, they may also become
suddenly cheerful because they think that by deciding to end their lives
they have "found the solution."
Young people who have attempted suicide in the past
or who talk about suicide are at greater risk for future attempts. Listen
for hints like "I'd be better off dead" or "I won't be a problem for
you much longer."
Some Suicide Statistics
-
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among
young people ages 15 to 19 years.
-
Every day, 14 young people (ages 15 to 24) commit
suicide, or approximately 1 every 100 minutes.
-
Almost all people who kill themselves have a diagnosable
mental or substance use disorder; the majority have more than one.
-
Fifty-three percent of young people who commit suicide
ABUSE substances.
-
Four times as many men as women commit suicide,
but young women attempt suicide three times more frequently than
young men.
What Can Be Done?
TEENS aren't helped by lectures
or by hearing all the reasons they have to live. What they need is to
be reassured that they have someone to whom they can turn-be it family,
friends, school counselor, physician, or teacher-to discuss their feelings
or problems. It must be a person who is very willing to listen and who
is able to reassure the individual that DEPRESSION
and suicidal tendencies can be treated. TREATMENT
is of utmost importance. Local chapters of the American Psychiatric
Association can HELP by recommending a psychiatrist, a physician with
special training in emotional and mental health. HELP
can also be found through local mental health associations, family physicians,
a county medical society, a local hospital's department of psychiatry,
a community mental health CENTER,
a mood disorders PROGRAM
affiliated with a university or medical SCHOOL,
or a family service/social agency.
In short, simply taking the time to talk to TROUBLED
TEENAGERS about their emotions or problems can HELP prevent the
senseless tragedy of TEEN suicide. Let them know HELP
is available.
Other Sources of Information
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
3615 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 966-7300
(Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for Facts for Families.)
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927
(847) 228-5005
American Association of Suicidology
4201 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 310
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 237-2280
The Compassionate Friends
P.O. Box 3696
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696
(630) 990-0010
(For parents who have lost a child)
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
HELP LINE: (800) 950-NAMI
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
730 N. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 642-0049
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
FACTS ON DEMAND: (301) 443-5158
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
(800) 969-NMHA
Suicide Prevention Resources
405 West 48th Street
Manhattan, NY 10036
(212) 459-2611
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