Teenage Suicide Prevention
A Scary Unfortunate Reality
10 signs and symptoms of someone comtemplating suicide
su·i·cide
the action of killing oneself intentionally
10 Signs and Symptoms of someone contemplating Suicide
- Direct and indirect verbal expressions: "I don't want to live anymore", "There is nothing to live for anymore"
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Giving away prized possessions and/or making a will; tidying up personal affairs; writing notes; making notes on belongings.
- Reconnecting with old friends and extended family as if to say goodbye.
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and interests
- Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight
- Risk taking behavior, increase in drug and alcohol use, aggressive, impulsive and/or violent acts.
- Unusual happiness and peace after an intense period of turmoil.
- Expressions of hopelessness and purposelessness
- Sleeping too much or too little, feeling tired most of the time, changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
Suicide Risk Factors
- Having an mental illness including depression, conduct disorders (a range of antisocial types of behavior displayed in childhood or adolescence), and substance abuse
- Family Stress/Dysfunction
- Environmental risks, including presence of a firearm
- Situational crises including traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence, and etc.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
A symptom of someone contemplating suicide is being prone to risk taking behavior such as a increase in drug and alcohol use.
Depression
A suicide risk factor is having a mental illness such as depression.
Percentages of Methods of Suicides
55%- Firearms
20%- Suffocation/Hanging
17%- Poisoning/Drug Overdose
6%- Other/Unspecified
2%- Cut/Pierce
What to do
When a teenager you know gives off signs of considering committing suicide, these are some of the actions that could help to alleviate this teenager from actually going through with the deed.
- Remain calm.
- Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide.
- Focus on your concern for their wellbeing and avoid being accusatory.
- Listen.
- Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.
- Do not judge.
- Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.
- Remove means for self-harm.
- Get Help!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Taken From: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
"No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7."
Why you should Call:
- If you feel you are in a crisis, whether or not you are thinking about killing yourself, please call the Lifeline. People have called us for help with substance abuse, economic worries, relationship and family problems, sexual orientation, illness, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and even loneliness.
- You will be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area.
Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Phone: 1-800-273-8255