Youth suicide is the tragic death of a young person. These youths are in deep emotional and psychological pain often feeling misunderstood and hopeless.
They may have serious underlying mental health issues, bullying and/or drug addiction. They are impulsive and often act on their feelings. They might hoard pills, research a method of suicide or purchase a firearm.
Stressors
Young people experiencing these challenges can feel overwhelmed, hopeless and suicidal. If a teenager shows these signs, it is important to have them assessed by a mental health professional. This can be done in adult centers using the PHQ-9 or in pediatric trauma centers with a 4-item suicide screening tool like the CES-DC.
Generally, participants described several broad stressors that lead to suicide attempts including underlying, long-standing problems with family members or intimate partners. Frequently, these led to intense, emotionally charged quarrels with these individuals. Other risk factors included the presence of a traumatic injury or abuse and alterations in mood, perception and cognition that are part of PTSD symptoms.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
ACEs cause the body to experience TOXIC STRESS, which disrupts the nervous and immune systems. This leads to the release of FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT HORMONES that increase heart rate and blood pressure, damage organs and tissues, and limit brain development.
High levels of ACEs are associated with negative health conditions and risk behaviors, including substance use and suicide-related behaviors. ACEs are disproportionately prevalent for female, AI/AN, and multiracial students.
Reduced ACEs can help prevent the effects of trauma and increase resilience. Educate community members, schools, youth-serving organizations, coaches and mentors to understand the effects of ACEs on their lives and how to prevent ACEs. Reducing stress, promoting responsive relationships, and strengthening life skills are essential to reducing ACEs.
Addictions
Addiction affects how the brain functions, which can change a person’s risk factor for suicide. Addiction can also increase a person’s suicide risk by making them act more impulsively.
People with addictions have trouble balancing the demands of work and personal life. They often don’t feel they can control their substance or activity use, which leads to feeling overwhelmed and helpless.
A study found that a person’s lifetime use of a variety of different substances, including cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, is associated with suicidal behavior. But the effects of these substances on suicide are mediated by depressive symptoms. This means that people with depression are more likely to have a history of substance abuse.
Family Issues
Researchers have found that family conflict is a major predictor of suicide for kids. This is especially true when teens feel misunderstood or devalued by their caregivers.
Family members can help by not dismissing warning signs as “attention seeking” or teenage drama. When a teen shows warning signs, adults should always take them seriously and schedule a visit with a mental health professional.
Many families find that a person struggling with depression or another psychiatric disorder can benefit from talking to someone who understands their feelings. In addition, they can find ways to address the issues that may be contributing to their child’s mental illness.
Mental Health Issues
A young person’s mental health can be impacted by many factors. They may experience depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders. They may be the victim of bullying or have family or personal problems. They can also have a history of substance use or suicidal thoughts or actions.
The teen years are a time of major changes. They can be a stressful, confusing and frightening time. They can feel pressure to fit in socially, perform academically and act responsibly. This can lead to stress and anxiety, which can affect a teen’s ability to problem-solve and make good decisions. It can also lead them to seek out self-medicating behavior such as using drugs or alcohol, and to attempt suicide.
Trauma
Traumatic events activate the amygdala to send a signal to the body for a fight-or-flight response. This often triggers feelings of fear, anger or shock that dissipate as the situation resolves or fades from memory.
However, for some teens, the distressing feelings can linger and interfere with daily life. The feelings may cause a person to feel hopeless, worthless and overwhelmed.
When a young person is having thoughts of suicide, it’s important to take the issue seriously and respond quickly. Seek help for them from a mental health professional or crisis hotline. This can include a medical checkup to rule out other possible health issues.