Those who are at risk of suicide often have significant psychiatric problems. Major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anorexia nervosa tend to have their first onset during adolescence.
If a young person tells you they’re suicidal, take them seriously. This is a sign that they’re not coping.
Adolescence is a time of great change.
During this time, kids face many life challenges and major changes in their bodies. These can add up to overwhelming feelings of stress, confusion, fear or sadness and lead to suicidal thoughts.
Any talk of suicide is a warning sign and should be taken seriously. This includes threats made directly or indirectly, in conversations, text messages and social media posts. It’s also important to watch for a sudden change in behavior or attitude, especially withdrawal from friends and family, increasing isolation and sleeplessness, displaying agitation or rage, giving away treasured possessions, focusing on death or suicide themes in classroom drawings and journals and increased use of alcohol or drugs.
It’s helpful for parents, teachers, coaches and other community leaders to understand adolescent development so they can recognize these and other warning signs. They can help connect youth to mental health care and support services. Also, they can be a source of encouragement and empathy to teens who feel misunderstood or devalued.
Adolescence is a time of uncertainty.
Many youths who attempt suicide have a serious mental health illness, often a mood disorder such as depression. Risk factors include being gender diverse, having a family history of mood disorders, bullying and relationship conflicts (boyfriend/girlfriend break-ups and arguments with parents). They may have access to guns or pills and talk about or allude to a suicide plan.
It is important for adults to take any threat of self-harm or suicide seriously. If they are ignored, a youth may decide that he or she is a burden and that life is not worth living.
In addition, many major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anorexia nervosa have their onset in adolescence. Some of the warning signs for these illnesses include hearing voices, hallucinations or delusions. Some non-coping youths who have a mental health illness seek relief from their distress with drugs and alcohol, which can have deadly consequences. Their suicidal thoughts and behaviors often appear as a surprise to those close to them.
Adolescence is a time of growth.
During this time, teens are often faced with a number of stressors. For example, divorce or remarriage, changes in family structure and increased mobility can cause disruption of friendships and social networks. This can increase feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
Many major psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anorexia nervosa) have their onset in adolescence. These illnesses are associated with increased suicide risk. For example, a young person with schizophrenia may hear voices that direct them to kill themselves. This is a form of auditory hallucination. Similarly, a depressed youth may have a distorted perception of their own worthlessness and believe (as part of their depression) that they would save their family grief by killing themselves.
Teens who have suicidal thoughts and/or are at risk of taking their own lives should be seen by a Lehigh Valley Reilly child and adolescent psychiatrist as soon as possible. A thorough assessment will allow for an appropriate and tailored plan of care.
Adolescence is a time of change.
Parents can play a critical role in preventing suicide in their teens. They should make sure to become informed about the issue and talk to their teenagers about it. They should also seek the help of mental health professionals if their child exhibits signs of depression or suicidal thoughts.
A teen who has made an attempt to kill themselves needs immediate attention and professional care. They should undergo a physical examination to rule out life threatening problems and then a mental health evaluation. They may need to stay at a psychiatric hospital for observation and treatment.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness offers an excellent resource for parents to help them recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thinking. It also provides information about youth suicide prevention programs. One such program is SOS, a school-based suicide prevention program that has been shown to reduce suicide attempts in adolescents. The program is endorsed by the National Association of Schools Psychologists.