The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, in 2006, there were 33,300 people whose cause of death was suicide. And for youths between the ages 10 to 24, suicide is the third-leading cause of death. Though suicide causes approximately 4,500 adolescent deaths a year, it is preventable if the warning signs are detected and adequate medical and psychiatric help is provided.
Risk Factors
Identifying the risk factors of adolescent suicide goes a long way toward being able to prevent a potential suicide death. Though these risk factors do not mean that an adolescent will definitely try to commit suicide, they may indicate an elevated risk. The CDC reports that these risk factors include certain factors in the adolescent's history, such as previous suicide attempts, a family member committing suicide and depression or other mental illness. Other risk factors include alcohol and/or drug abuse, intense stress, easy access to an object or substances used to commit suicide, incarceration in prison and/or jail and a significant loss or death in the family. The Washington State Department of Health also indicates that other key risk factors are an impulsive nature and lack of connection to family and friends.
Moderate Danger Signs
The Washington State Department of Health reports that various warning signs may indicate an adolescent is thinking of suicide. These moderate signs include: a preoccupation with death; severe moodiness; hopelessness; not participating in activities of previous interest; hinting at not being there in the future, and breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. These signs become especially noteworthy if associated with risk factors.
Severe Danger Signs
Some danger signs may indicate an imminent suicide attempt. MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia, reports that talk of suicide should always be taken seriously. This is especially so if the adolescent talks of specific plans to carry out a suicide attempt and has access to a firearm or other lethal object or substance. Washington State Department of Health also reports that there are signs that support making plans for suicide, and should be taken seriously. Examples of supporting severe warning signs include saying "good-bye" to loved ones, expressing a wish to die and giving away prized possessions. The appearances of these behaviors in conjunction with making plans for suicide are all severe danger signs. MedlinePlus and the Washington State Department of Health advise seeking immediate medical attention if a person is in this situation by calling 911 or contacting a mental health professional.
