Tips for Parents & Educators on Suicide
When a teen feels that the problems they face will never get better, they may contemplate suicide. With so much life ahead of them, it can be hard to understand why someone so young wouldn’t want to go on living. However, when a teen is hopeless or depressed, it may seem to be their only option.
Topics
Who Is at Risk?
Because adolescence is such a turbulent time, teens can be overwhelmed by all the new experiences. Suicidal feelings can be triggered by feelings of humiliation, stress, trauma or loss. Teenagers who are suffering from depression or use drugs and alcohol are at high risk, as well as those who have a family history of mental illness or have previously attempted suicide.
Warning Signs
Warning signs for a suicide attempt should be taken very seriously. If you think your teen might be considering suicide, talk to them and get them psychiatric help or counseling immediately. They may be going through a hard time and really need your support and wisdom.
Here are some common warning signs:
- Talking about suicide and making a plan
- Giving away prized possessions
- Preoccupation with death
- Signs of depression
- Hopelessness and anxiety
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- A prior suicide attempt
Help!
If you think your child is considering suicide, don’t be afraid to broach the topic with them. It may be just what they needed. You should also seek out the help of a mental health professional. You can find them through: local mental health associations, family physicians, a county medical society, a local hospital’s department of psychiatry, a community mental health center, a mood disorders program affiliated with a university or medical school, or a family service/social agency.
