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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
What Is Youth Suicide?
Suicide is when a person causes their own death on purpose. Before trying to take their own life, a young person may have thoughts of wanting to die. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people. For youth ages 10 to 14, suicide is the second leading cause of death.
The CDC reports that:
- Youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 years are at risk.
- Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls.
- Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys.
- Guns are used in more than half of all youth suicides.
A young person’s risk for suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Risk factors may change over time. They are:
- One or more mental or substance abuse problems
- Impulsive behaviors
- Stressful life events such as being bullied or recent losses, such as the death of a parent
- Family history of mental or substance abuse problems
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical, sexual or verbal
- Emotional abuse
Many of the warning signs of suicide are also symptoms of depression. They are:
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family members
- Acting-out behaviors and running away
- Alcohol or drug use
- Neglecting their personal appearance
Threats of suicide are a cry for help. Always take such statements, thoughts, behaviors, or plans very seriously. Any young person who expresses thoughts of suicide should not be left alone and should be assessed right away. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about suicide and have a written emergency plan that you share with trusted others.
Any child who has tried to commit suicide needs a physical checkup first to rule out life-threatening health problems. They should then get a mental health evaluation and treatment until they are stable. This often will take place at an inpatient facility to make sure of the child’s safety.
Learning the warning signs of youth suicide can prevent an attempt. Keeping open communication with your child and their friends gives you a chance to help when needed. Also take these steps:
- Keep medicines and guns locked and away from children and teens. Don't let the child know the combination to a safe or where the key is located.
- Get your child help for any mental or substance abuse problems.
- Listen to your child.
Young people can take these steps to help prevent suicide if they see warning signs in a friend:
- Take their friend’s behavior and talk of suicide seriously.
- Encourage their friend to seek expert help. Go with the friend, if needed.
- Don't leave your friend alone, not even for a moment, until a responsible adult is with them.
Make sure your child has emergency numbers in their phone. These would include parents, other trusted adults, the healthcare provider, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
Any child who expresses suicidal thoughts should not be left alone and should be evaluated right away. Call or text 988. After treatment starts, it will take a while for your child to feel better. Make sure they know this and support them while their symptoms improve.
To access the full article on teen suicide, click here.
