The profile of a youth at risk of suicide usually includes a depressed, drug dependent young person with a poor support system. They may have easy access to lethal objects, such as guns, pills or kitchen utensils.
Any threat of suicide must be taken seriously. A teen who makes such a threat needs a physical and then a mental health evaluation.
Depression
Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide among teenagers. Untreated, it can lead to poor outcomes in adulthood and contribute to other mental disorders such as anxiety. Many youths do not receive proper treatment because they are not diagnosed with a mood disorder or the proper medications are not prescribed.
Symptoms of depression can be subtle, such as an unusual drop in school performance, changes in eating habits and feelings of hopelessness. Some youths may stop talking about the future or start giving away belongings. Others develop a psychotic reaction like hallucinations or delusions which can cause a loss of control and lead to self-injury or suicide.
It is important for parents to talk to their children about depression and the risk of suicide. Teens who think about taking their lives often feel misunderstood, ignored or rejected by their family. They also might have difficulty coping with life events such as bad grades on tests or the death of a loved one.
Drug Abuse
Among adolescents, the use of drugs can cause mental health problems. Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder often co-occur with substance abuse problems. In addition, studies show that adolescent drug users are more likely to attempt suicide.
Adolescents who have a history of major depressive episodes are more likely to report using illicit drugs, misused opioids and engage in binge drinking than their peers. Additionally, adolescent substance use can also lead to academic, social and career problems. These include declining grades, truancy and absenteeism from school.
Teens should seek expert help if they are having thoughts of suicide. They should also remove any tools that could be used for self-harm, such as knives and guns. They should talk to a healthcare provider and consider treatment options such as assertive community treatment, which offers mental health services in the home rather than in a residential or hospital setting. It is a highly individualized approach that can be modified throughout recovery.
Family Issues
Teens who do not feel supported by family and friends can become overwhelmed by life stressors. They may be unable to cope and develop major psychological or behavioural symptoms. They can also become more prone to depression or suicidal thoughts.
Having a family history of mental illness, physical illness or suicide can increase the risk of suicide in teens. Other risk factors include bullying and access to lethal means. A traumatic event, such as the suicide of a close friend or family member, can also affect youth suicide.
People often think that teens who talk about suicide are only seeking attention or want to be seen as sad and dramatic. It is important to take any warning signs seriously, including sadness and a lack of interest in hobbies and activities. If you think a friend or a loved one might be at risk, get help right away. Find a mental health professional in your area or call the crisis hotline.
Suicide Attempts
Suicide is when a person causes their own death on purpose. Youth and young adults may think about suicide or they might attempt it. They might do things like trying to get into a dangerous area or taking pills or drugs that can make them have side effects, or they might use guns in a suicide. A person can tell someone they are thinking about it or they can tell their parents, but the most important thing is that they should seek expert help immediately.
The research found that those who have attempted suicide have more problems in adulthood including lower employment earnings, smaller retirement savings and a greater chance of welfare support or bankruptcy. However, the authors do not assume that suicide attempts cause these later problems but they can be a signal that a person might need long-term health care and social services. The researchers analyzed data from the longitudinal Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children followed up through age 37 years. Lifetime suicide attempts were assessed at ages 15 and 22 through structured interviews with participants and their parents. Economic and social outcomes were obtained from government administrative data linked to the interview data.