Some people think that if a teenager talks about suicide they are only looking for attention. But this is not true. Anyone who has thoughts of killing themselves needs to be taken seriously.
Data from the 2021 YRBS show that suicidal ideation, making suicide plans and suicide attempts have increased. This is especially true for female youths.
Risk Factors
Suicide is a complex phenomenon with many risk factors contributing to suicide behavior. These are mainly mental disorders like depression and anxiety, previous suicide attempts or a family history of suicide. Other risk factors include poor coping skills, substance abuse and the availability of lethal means such as firearms.
A lack of social support and a life that seems hopeless or unbearable can also lead to suicide in youths. This is especially true when the teen feels that they can’t rely on family or friends. If a teenager is thinking about suicide, it is important that friends and family members take the threat seriously and seek help from mental health professionals as soon as possible. It is also vital to restrict access to things that can be used to commit suicide, such as a gun or medication. This includes having safety locks on firearms and keeping them in a locked cabinet or safe where someone with risk factors can’t get to them.
Symptoms
Children and youth who are at risk for suicide may show warning signs. These include:
Feeling trapped, helpless or hopeless. Talking about or planning suicide. Having a history of suicide in the family. Having a major psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa. Receiving poor care for mental and physical health problems, especially if it is inadequate or not consistent. Having access to lethal means of suicide, such as guns or drugs. Having a history of trying to hurt oneself, or doing self-destructive behavior, such as running into traffic, jumping off buildings or scratching/cutting the body.
Parents, teachers and other adults should be alert for sudden changes in a child or teen. This includes becoming sad, withdrawn or angry for no apparent reason; sleeping more or less than usual; and avoiding friends. In addition, look for themes of death and suicidal ideas in classroom drawings, work samples, journals or other writings. Also watch for a change in eating habits and weight and other physical changes.
Treatment
As a general rule, suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts in youth are not taken lightly by therapists. Having a good relationship with teenagers and listening to them is an important step in prevention. Providing a safe physical and emotional home environment is also important.
Adolescents often experience a series of developmental failures that increase their vulnerability to suicide. These may be proximal risk factors such as family problems and school difficulties or distal risk factors such as depression and drug use. These can also trigger a pattern of self-harming behavior that eventually leads to a suicide attempt.
Research has found that therapeutic treatment plans that assist adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be effective in reducing recurrent suicide attempts. These approaches vary among theoretical models and include psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
Prevention
The teen years are a time of major changes that can cause strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and pressure to succeed. Often these factors lead to depression, which may cause thoughts and feelings of suicide. The teen must be given the opportunity to talk about his or her problems and be provided with help and resources for recovery.
Prevention can be accomplished by recognizing warning signs of suicidal behavior. These can include sudden changes in thoughts, appearance or behavior. Suicide attempts should be taken seriously and professional intervention should be initiated.
School counselors, social workers and nurses can offer support and referral to local mental health services. The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line is available for free, immediate human support 24/7. In addition, the CDE has made a comprehensive training program available to local educational agencies (LEAs) and their employees to develop youth suicide prevention policies. This program is called Culture Forward: A Strengths and Culture-Based Tool to Protect Youth from Suicide.