Teen Suicide

Studies show that suicide attempts among young people may be based on long standing problems triggered by a specific event. Suicidal adolescents may view a temporary situation as a permanent condition. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive, self-destructive acts.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings. Pay close attention to these warning signs:

Suicide threats, direct and indirect
Obsession with death
Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
Dramatic change in personality or appearance
Irrational, bizarre behavior
Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reflection
Changed eating or sleeping patterns
Severe drop in school performance
Giving away belongings

Helping Suicidal Teens

Offer to help and listen. Encourage depressed teens to talk about their feelings. Listen, don't lecture.
Trust your instincts. If it seems that the situation may be serious, seek prompt help. Break confidence if necessary, in order to save a life.
Pay attention to talk about suicide. Ask direct questions and don't be afraid of frank discussions.
Seek professional help. It is essential to seek expert advice from a mental health professional who has experience helping depressed teens. Also, alert key adults I the teen's life- family, friends, or a teacher.

Suicide Among the Young

Persons under the age of 25 accounted for 14% of all suicides in 1999. From 1952-1995, the incidence of suicide among adolescents and young adults nearly tripled. From 1980-1997, the rate of suicide among persons aged 15-19 years increased by 11% and among persons aged 10-14 years by 109%. From 1980-1996, the rate increased 105% for African-American males aged 15-19%.
For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death, behind unintentional injury and homicide.
The risk of suicide among young people is greatest among young white males; however, from 1980 through 1995, suicide rates increased most rapidly among young black males. Although suicide among young children is a rare event, the dramatic increase in the rate among persons aged 10-14 years underscores the urgent need for intensifying efforts to prevent suicide among persons in this age group.

Teen Suicide

Reference: National Mental Health Association - *Licensure granted to re-print above information obtained from the National Mental Health Association on 1/29/03.

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