The teen years are a time of major physical, mental and emotional change. They are often times of anxiety and confusion.
Threats of suicide must be taken seriously. Any talk of death, sad behavior and a desire to stay away from family should be assessed as a possible emergency.
Risk factors
Mental disorders, specific personality characteristics and genetic loading in combination with triggering psychosocial stressors, access to lethal means and a sense of hopelessness are all key risk factors for youth suicide. It can also be exacerbated by life changes such as marriage dissolution, relocation and change in work roles that can lead to isolation.
Research has shown that kids who try to kill themselves are more likely to attempt it again, so it is important for kids to get follow-up care after an attempt. Kids who have friends or family members who have attempted suicide are at higher risk for repeat attempts, as well as those who have been involved in bullying.
The psychosocial factors influencing youth suicide vary by cultural and identity group. In some instances, historically disadvantaged communities are more likely to experience discrimination, social/environmental stressors and limited access to care and support resources [62]. One study of youth suicide in Australia found that job-related issues such as dismissal or unemployment increase the risk of suicide.
Symptoms
Throughout the teen years, kids experience major physical, emotional and social changes. This can cause feelings of stress, confusion, fear, loss of control and hopelessness. This can affect problem-solving skills and decision making. It can also make it hard to see that things will improve.
Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders increase suicide risk for teens. For example, a person who has schizophrenia may hear voices that tell them to kill themselves (auditory hallucinations). A history of drug or alcohol abuse increases the risk, too.
People who are considering suicide often give clues and warning signs to friends, family members or school personnel. These can include a sudden change in personality or behavior, being withdrawn from friends and family, sleep and eating habits changing, a lack of interest in activities, poor school performance or being preoccupied with death. They may even make a plan or talk about ways to end their life. These symptoms should never be ignored.
Attempts
Whether or not the suicide threat is genuine, all attempts at suicide should be taken seriously. They may be a cry for help. The youth’s mood may improve markedly after the attempt. This does not mean that he or she is “getting better” but rather that the depression has been relieved by the action of killing oneself.
Many psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder have their first onset in adolescence. Psychotic symptoms including hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not there) and delusions are also common in this age group. Family physicians should look for the presence of these symptoms and treat them if necessary.
Treatment
There is much that can be done by family members, friends and community leaders to help prevent youth suicide. Children and adolescents who are struggling with depression or feelings of suicidal thoughts should be evaluated by a mental health professional for a diagnosis and treatment.
Adolescents experience many stresses in their lives including rapid physical growth, conflict between parental and peer values and ideals, emotional and sexual intimacy with opposite sex and uncertainty about future career choices. These developmental tasks can trigger suicidal thinking and behaviors.
Parents and other youth family members can help by providing structure, limits, rules and monitoring as well as support and encouragement. Resolving any conflicts within the family is important. Interventions that promote and facilitate family communication have shown to be effective with suicidal youth. One such intervention is the Youth-nominated Support Team (YST) which involves identifying and educating supportive adults to respond to youth in crisis. (Pineda & Dadds, 2013). Other interventions involve the use of Motivational Interviewing techniques with suicidal youths.