Bringing A Better Understanding Of Teen Suicide

Teens are more likely to be successful when they make an attempt at suicide because they often are more impulsive about their efforts and act as such. Suicide is something that impacts everyone, teachers, friends, families, and communities. It is preventable though, knowledge of the signs can help, access to resources like a mental health toolkit too. More males are successful when they attempt suicide than females but in the US more women make the attempt. There are a number of risk factors that make a teen more likely to think about it and try it, substance abuse, severe illness, depression, and abuse to name a few. Here is a look at some of the common signs and what the next step should be.

Warning signs to look for

If you have a teen you are worried about, a student or a neighbor or even a friend here are some of the suicide warning signs to look for. You can also take advantage of a mental health crisis toolkit to know what to look for and do.

• Making threats to hurt themselves or kill themselves
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or acting in a hopeless manner
• Being anxious or depressed
• Having no sense of purpose or reason to live
• Looking for and talking about ways they might kill themselves
• Being very angry, expressing rage
• Writing or talking about death a lot
• Getting involved with activities that are dangerous including drugs and alcohol abuse
• Acting and feeling like they are trapped with no way out
• Expressing large changes in mood
• Being withdrawn from family, friends and everyone
• Not being able to sleep or oversleeping a lot
• Eating too much or not enough

What is the next step

If you are concerned about someone and you see one or more of these signs in them then the next step can be the hardest but is necessary. You need to talk to them and be very direct. Ask them if they are suicidal, or thinking of killing themselves. It is scary and you might feel embarrassed or such but it is important. You cannot trigger someone who is not suicidal to suddenly become so just by asking them. You can learn this and more with the help of resources including a mental health toolkit. Starting a conversation is the first step to preventing suicide and helping them get better. Together you can look for help wherever that might come from, and for professional support.

Conclusion

When we have a better understanding of how serious teen suicides are in this country we can work together to help prevent them. Take advantage of a mental health crisis toolkit and see how you can help. Sometimes teens think suicide is the answer as the only way out but with your support that can change. Give them someone who listens and does not mock them, disbelieve them, or dismiss them. Always take every threat seriously.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Report this Page

Created on Dec 24th 2022 13:47. Viewed 120 times.

Share on APSense

Comments