Many kids feel misunderstood and devalued by their parents. This can cause them to isolate themselves, and lead to depression and a variety of other symptoms.
There are often warning signs that a kid is at risk of suicide. These include mental health disorders like depression, access to lethal means (e.g. guns), family conflicts and impulsiveness.
Depression
Depression is a major risk factor for youth suicide. Teenagers with depression often feel overwhelmed by their feelings and are unable to cope with them. The depression may be a result of an event or build up over time. It may also be caused by a variety of factors including family stress, relationship conflicts, and alcohol and drug use.
Some of the warning signs to watch out for are changes in sleeping patterns and apathy. In addition to these symptoms, young people who are considering suicide might give away some of their possessions or may start making frequent complaints about health problems like stomachaches and headaches. They also might withdraw from friends or family members and become more irritable, anxious, or angry. If these behaviors persist, it is important to seek help immediately. A psychiatric evaluation and treatment can prevent depression from worsening. This is usually done in an inpatient setting to ensure the youth’s safety.
Adolescence
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 14 to 18. This is partly due to the high rates of poor mental and behavioral health. Youths can experience a variety of stressful events or changes in their lives, including problems with school or work, relationships and friendships and problems with family members. This can make them feel overwhelmed, hopeless and trapped. A history of a mental or mood disorder can also increase the risk of suicide. Other factors can contribute to a suicide attempt, such as the use of drugs or alcohol and being involved in a family conflict.
Some people think that teens who say they want to kill themselves are attention-seeking, but ignoring their comments increases the chance of harming themselves. If someone is at risk, they should be taken to a hospital emergency department for help immediately. They may need a combination of medication and therapy. Getting treatment early can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt.
Family conflicts
Various factors can contribute to suicide in youth, including family conflicts, mood disorders and psychiatric conditions. People who have a history of depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are more at risk for suicide. They may also have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Some youths may even be tempted to use a lethal substance such as a firearm or hang themselves.
It is important to understand why teenagers kill themselves, and it is often the result of long-term stress. This includes the pressure to perform academically, socially and athletically. In addition, they may be facing a difficult relationship with their parents and feel a lack of support from friends. It is crucial to provide adolescents with healthy coping mechanisms so that they can avoid suicidal behavior. A longitudinal study found that family conflict was a strong predictor of suicide behaviors. Internalizing and externalizing problems mediated the family conflict-suicidal behaviors link, with internalizing acting as the major mediator.
Self-harm
In some cases, a person may take their life through self-inflicted injuries or by ingesting poisons. This type of death is referred to as suicide by suicide or SBD.
A number of risk factors lead to youth suicide, including psychiatric disorders, relationship conflicts and substance misuse. Many psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, have their onset in adolescence. Some of these psychiatric disorders are responsive to treatment, but not all.
Parents can protect their children by recognizing warning signs and responding appropriately. Warning signs include talking about suicide or threatening to kill oneself, changes in sleep patterns, eating habits and moods and an apathy toward things that used to make a person happy. Parents should take any threat seriously, even if it is only a comment or a promise to kill oneself. If a child is serious about harming themselves, they may need to be treated at a psychiatric hospital or mental health day program.