A teen’s life is filled with major changes, and stress, confusion, fear and frustration can be overwhelming. This can lead to thoughts of suicide.
A teen’s thoughts of suicide can be warning signs of an illness, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Other signs include giving away valuable items and not planning or talking about the future.
Risk factors
Many different risk factors can contribute to youth suicide. While everyone agrees that numerous factors may be involved in a given suicide, some risk factors are more prevalent than others. For example, mental disorders such as anorexia nervosa and schizophrenia increase the likelihood of suicide in people with these conditions. Similarly, people who have a history of substance abuse or mood disorders are more likely to die by suicide.
Another major risk factor is poor communication in the family. In cases of suicide, a person often tries to escape from the responsibilities of family life or because of problems between family members. Violence in the home is also frequently seen in suicide cases.
A person may also commit suicide because of a traumatic experience, such as the death of a loved one. This is particularly common in people who have been exposed to war and disasters. In addition, a suicide attempt may be triggered by a particular event such as an accident or break-up.
Symptoms
Many children and adolescents who attempt suicide show warning signs. It is important to recognize these and discuss your concerns, ideally before the young person experiences a mental health crisis.
Those who are thinking about suicide often feel hopeless, worthless or trapped. They may have a history of depression or other mood disorders. In addition, they may have a substance use disorder or other addictive behaviors. They may have access to lethal means, such as firearms, pills or other substances. They may say goodbye to their friends, stop planning or talking about the future and give away treasured possessions. They may express suicidal thoughts in writing or via social media and text messaging.
Some also experience a traumatic event or loss, such as a car accident, the death of a loved one or a school shooting. Others might become depressed following a life-threatening illness or the divorce of their parents. Symptoms of depression include sudden changes in eating and sleeping habits, withdrawal from family and friends, irritability or a lack of interest in activities and/or socializing.
Treatment
Research has shown that protective factors — activities and experiences that decrease the risk of negative outcomes — are key to improving mental health. These include social support, positive coping strategies, physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and involvement in meaningful school and community activities.
Any teen who has attempted suicide should first get a medical checkup to rule out any life-threatening conditions, and then receive a thorough mental health evaluation at a hospital or clinic. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, they may need to stay at a mental health facility until they are stable.
Psychologists are working to better understand how to assess and treat youth at risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior. They are paying special attention to female and LGBQ+ adolescents who have higher rates of poor mental health and higher prevalence of suicide risk indicators. They also are investigating how a national atmosphere of trauma and discrimination affects their risk.
Prevention
To prevent youth suicide, we must take warning signs seriously. Be alert to changes in behavior, especially if a student seems sad or hopeless. This may include a sudden change in sleep habits or withdrawn behavior, arguing with parents or other adults, and not enjoying hobbies or activities that used to be enjoyable.
Also, it’s important to educate yourself about youth suicide. Learn what is behind the statistics and major risk factors, understand how serious it can be, and know how to respond.
Some protective factors against suicide include family and community support, good communication with friends, affiliation with religious organizations, high academic achievement, positive self-esteem, and active participation in groups that promote a sense of accomplishment like Scouting. Researchers are developing new programs to increase these protective factors among vulnerable youth. The Trevor Project is a national resource that offers online learning modules as teaching resources and 24-hour crisis support via chat, text, and telephone for LGBTQ students in emotional distress.