Youths with certain risk factors can experience a higher prevalence of suicidality. This includes racial/ethnic minority youth, those who identify as LGBQ+ and those involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
If a teen reveals they are thinking about suicide, it is very important to take their comments seriously and to ensure they get help from an expert. This can include a mental health clinician and support from family members/friends.
Suicidal thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are a normal part of adolescence and are more common in youth who have experienced traumatic life events. But when these thoughts become a serious risk to one’s safety, it is important to seek help.
Warning signs include giving away belongings for no apparent reason, writing suicide notes, and having access to ways to hurt themselves or kill themselves. A person with suicidal thoughts or plans can also show symptoms of psychosis, such as hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t there.
A diagnosis of a mental health condition, like depression, often reduces the risk of suicide. However, suicide is rarely caused by a single factor and can be complicated. Protective factors, such as caring families, healthy coping skills, strong school and community connections, and effective treatment for mental illnesses, can decrease suicide risk. In addition to professional treatment, there are many other resources for teens who have suicidal thoughts. These include the Trevor Project, which offers free, confidential support to LGBTQIA+ youth, and The Trans Lifeline, a 24/7 crisis hotline for trans people.
Suicidal acts
The teen years can be particularly stressful, and suicide may seem like the answer to life’s problems. Many teens who make suicide attempts have deep emotional pain and hopelessness that they can’t express in other ways. They feel rejected or abandoned, and they may believe they are a burden to others.
Teens who try to commit suicide often have access to lethal means, such as firearms, medications, or illicit drugs. Providing safe and accessible resources is one way to reduce risk. Research has shown that restricting access to lethal means can lower the rate of suicide attempts (Lester).
Suicide rates vary across the globe and by demographic factors, including sex, age, race/ethnicity, income, and education level. In the United States, suicide is a leading cause of death among adults. It is also a leading cause of nonfatal self-injury. Injuries to the body, brain, and spirit can lead to a range of psychological symptoms. Treatment can help prevent these injuries from turning into suicidal behaviors.
Suicide attempts
If a youth has attempted suicide, they need to be treated in a safe and supervised setting. This is often done in an inpatient mental health treatment facility to make sure the youth’s safety and well-being are the top priority. Treatment will depend on the child’s specific symptoms and general health, but can include physical checkups, counseling, family therapy, and extended hospital stays if necessary.
Many factors can increase a young person’s risk of suicide, including depression, abuse and a history of suicidal behavior. Other risk factors include alcohol or drug use, a family history of mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anorexia nervosa), and environmental risks, such as having a firearm in the home.
Research also shows that racial and ethnic minority youth are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that ER visits due to suspected suicide attempts were higher for Black youth than White or Hispanic/Latino youth.
Suicide survivors
Many suicide survivors experience a variety of distressing feelings. They may experience a lack of interest in life, difficulty eating and sleeping, numbness or flashbacks, anger or suicidal thoughts. They may also feel a sense of guilt or shame. This can make it hard to talk about their experiences with family and friends.
The majority of people who die from suicide did not have a history of attempting to kill themselves. However, studies of those who died by hanging or carbon monoxide poisoning have found that a high proportion had previously made an attempt.
Encourage them to access help and support. This might include a visit to their doctor or therapist. It might be helpful to have them develop a safety plan and share it with family or friends. If they are reluctant to do this themselves, offer to go with them. Help them find positive things to do and stay connected with others, such as exercise, socializing and meditation.