According to the Teen Suicide website, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. Some teenagers who are suffering from severe depression think of suicide as their only way out. Many teenagers don't think about the consequences of attempting suicide or they think they can do it to get attention. Suicide attempts are a call for help and indicate there is a serious emotional problem they are fighting. Getting help for both teenagers and parents is essential in prevention.
Warning Signs
The Healthy Place website states that there are warning signs to look for when it comes to teenage suicide. These include isolation, difficulty concentrating, poor school performance, lack of hygiene, hopelessness, discussing suicide and death, self-destructive behavior and giving away personal possessions.
Risk Factors
There are some risk factors aside from depression that can lead to teenage suicide, explains the Kids Health website. If your teen has recently had a traumatic event happen in her life such as a death, divorce of parents, relationship breakup or abuse, she is at higher risk of suicide than other teenagers. Teenagers who have recently begun abusing alcohol or drugs may be using them to mask pain. Assault or bullying peers or classmates at school can also lead to thoughts of suicide.
Life After an Attempt
If your son or daughter has attempted suicide and survived, you both will want to do whatever you have to prevent it from happening again. Finding the underlying cause and getting help through counseling will help everyone understand why your teen chose suicide, states the Help Guide website. Family counseling is generally essential so everyone is on the same page. Being aware of your teenager's whereabouts and closely monitoring his behavior will help you to see warning signs should they reappear.
Therapy
Seeking the right kind of therapy is essential if your teen is considering or has attempted suicide, according to Psych Central. A psychologist will be able to talk with her individually and also be able to diagnose any underlying mental health condition and prescribe the proper medications. You can also choose to take your teenager to a family medical doctor. She will be able to perform a physical exam and run blood tests to rule out an underlying medical condition that could be causing suicidal thoughts.
Prevention
Preventing a suicide attempt can be difficult, especially if the teen has not given a lot of warning signs to others. Recognizing and acknowledging any type of warning sign is the first step, states the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If your teen has other issues he is facing that need medical attention, those should be dealt with first. This includes behavior problems, mental disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders and anger management. Teens who are depressed or may have generalized anxiety disorder are at higher risk of suicide than others and they should be evaluated by a licensed psychologist. Making your teen accountable for his actions will also aid in prevention. Encouraging him to participate in sports or hobbies, or be around peers in a positive environment, will let him know you care.
