Children and adolescents who show warning signs of suicidal feelings need to see a doctor. They should get a physical examination and, if necessary, an extended hospital stay.
It is important to take any talk of suicide seriously, particularly if it includes a plan and the giving away of possessions. There are many reasons a child might make such a threat and all should be taken into account.
Psychiatric Illness
A large number of people who take their own lives have a psychiatric illness, such as depression or a mood disorder. Other risk factors that can lead to suicide include a history of abuse and neglect, substance abuse, a family history of mental illness and prior suicide attempts.
In addition, a teen may be suffering from serious emotional pain and do not see a way out of their situation. They may feel misunderstood and frustrated, and they might try to deal with their pain by experimenting with drugs and alcohol or by engaging in self-injury.
A teen can also become suicidal if they feel discriminated against due to their gender, race or sexual orientation, which can cause them a lot of stress and erode their inner resources. Other risk factors for suicide include having a history of childhood or adult physical abuse and living with an abusive partner.
Family Conflicts
Family conflict can have a powerful impact on kids’ well-being and their suicide risks. For example, research has shown that kids who feel like they have no one to turn to when things go wrong often engage in unhealthy coping behaviors such as drug abuse, self-harm or suicide.
In addition, studies have found that youth who have strong connections to their families are less likely to attempt or commit suicide. Talk to your children about their feelings, and encourage them to seek help if they think they need it. If they are reluctant to open up to you, suggest another trusted adult such as a coach, clergy member or counselor. This can be a difficult conversation to have, but the alternative is much worse.
Poor or Inappropriate Coping Skills
Psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anorexia nervosa often have their onset during adolescence. These conditions are responsive to treatment and can be preventable if detected early.
It is important for mental health providers to identify warning signs like drastic changes in mood, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and expressions of hopelessness. Educating youth on the use of crisis helplines and support services, as well as fostering healthy family bonds and social supports, can mitigate suicide risk. Therapeutic approaches that teach emotional regulation and coping skills can also enhance emotional resilience and reduce suicidal thoughts.
Suicidal Threats
Youth who are very ill may be at high risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. They might try to cope with these feelings by talking about their intent to kill themselves, making threats or gestures and by planning how they will die.
These behaviors can be a cry for help or they may be a way to get attention. Regardless, all suicide threats must be taken seriously and the person must be helped through their crisis.
In community adolescent samples, suicide threat/gesture histories exhibited high comorbidity with other SITBs; youth who reported a history of suicide threat/gestures were significantly more likely to report a history of NSSI, suicidal ideation, and suicide plans than community adolescents without a suicide threat/gesture history. In clinical adolescent samples, however, a history of suicide threats/gestures did not appear to be related to suicide attempt methods.
Grossly Agitated Youth
The suicide of children and adolescents usually takes the form of an impulsive act. This reaction may come in response to acute psychosocial stressors, such as a relationship breakup; conflicts between parental and peer values and ideals, physical/sexual arousal with the opposite sex or disciplinary trouble at school.
It is important to take any suicidal threat seriously. This can include thoughts of self-harm as well as a verbal threat to kill oneself. The lethality of a suicide attempt is usually related to the method employed. This means that it is very important to keep all potentially lethal weapons out of the reach of teenagers. Immediately seek help and advice if you suspect a teenager is at risk of suicide. This will generally involve professional intervention for both the teenager and their family.