Age 17

Emma, Age 17

Statistics 10,000 teens commit suicide each year. Over the past 25 years the rate of teen suicide has increased 300%. Suicide attempts occur more often in females than in males, the ratio is 9:1. Girls who attempt suicide tend to overdose on drugs or cut themselves. Completed suicide occurs more often in males than in females with a 3:1 ratio. Boys who commit suicide frequently use firearms and hanging. Suicide is a result of untreated depression. Many of the high-risk factors and some of the warning signs are the same for depression.

Teenagers are at high-risk for suicide if: They have made (a) previous suicide attempt(s) They have severe mood problems They have an excessive alcohol consumption problem They are do not have an adequate support network of friends, family, religious affiliation, peer groups, extracurricular activities, etc. which is an outlet for the daily frustrations, confusions, and anxiety that adolescence presents. They are faced with problems which are out of their control such as: Divorce Alcoholism of a family member Exposure to domestic violence They see themselves as inadequate, worthless, and believe that their future is unchangeable. They have experienced a painful break-up with their boyfriend/girlfriend They have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. They have had a recent failure in some part of their life. They are gay or bisexual. Homosexual youth attempt suicide at a higher rate than do heterosexual teens because they feel different, outcast from society and even hated. Not all gay teens commit suicide, they just have at a higher risk of doing it.

Warning Signs (Teens who display some or all of these signs, should get help fast!) Serious mood changes that last for more than a couple of weeks (An example of a common change is feeling very depressed for a while and then feeling happy and hopeful because they think that suicide will solve all of their problems.) Becoming withdrawn from family and friends Being unable to concentrate Talk of suicide, what will happen "once they are gone", and/or wills and other legal matters relating to death. Dramatic changes in personal appearance Loss of interest in favorite activity Expressions of hopelessness/excessive guilt Self-destructive behavior such as: Reckless driving Increased drug and alcohol abuse Promiscuity Piecing and tattoos Other infliction of pain Saying good-bye at inappropriate times, whether directly or indirectly Preoccupation with death Bequeathal of handing over of favorite possessions to others Development of a suicide plan, getting the means to kill oneself (e.g. buying a gun, stocking up on sleeping pills, etc.) Stating a desire to get even with significant others, or to "make them sorry"

"Suicide" by Emma, age 17

Helping a Friend If you have a suicidal friend, s/he needs a good friend to help her overcome the pain s/he is in right now, and carry on with her life. Explain to your friend that you are concerned about the situation. Find out if your friend has a suicide plan and how far s/he has gone in carrying it out. Even though just being there for your friend means a lot, you cannot solve the problem all by yourself. Encourage your friend to seek professional help, if s/he refuses, you should get help immediately. Tell your friend's favorite adult at home, school, or in the community. Contact the suicide prevention hotline, hospital emergency room, or local crisis center. Keep trying adult after adult until you get professional help. Make an agreement with your friend that s/he will not commit suicide while you are finding help. Really try to get some other people to watch out for the friend along with you because it is a lot to handle by yourself. If your friend is worried about talking to a counselor or other medical person, suggest that you could go with them if they would feel more comfortable.

If you feel suicidal: We all feel sad and depressed at some point in our lives and this can lead to thoughts of suicide. These thoughts will pass and your pain is only temporary and it will get better. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should: Call a suicide hotline - Common Ground 24-hour Crisis Line (1-800-231-1127) Confide in a friend, tell them your feelings. DO NOT act on your feelings, it is actually the pain that you want to end, NOT your life. If you get the help that you deserve, you can find and end to your pain. Don't blame yourself for the feelings you are having. Give others a chance to show that they care for you. Tell your friends and family the feelings you have been having. This way you will know that you are loved and appreciated and you will also have more help in dealing with your feelings and your pain. Give yourself a break- put your feelings (and dealing with them) ahead of school and work commitments. Talk to teachers and supervisors so that they are aware of the situation and so that they can help you to make up missed work and get better.

Resources/More information

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Articles for Teens:
Depression: What It Is and What To Do About It Spotlight on Stress

Resources for help:
SA\VE-Suicide Awareness \ Voices of Education
(612) 946-7998
www.save.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
(888) 333-AFSP
www.afsp.org

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(202) 966-7300
www.aacap.org
-Information for parents

Infoline
(800) 203-1234

Suicide Prevention Resources
(212) 459-2611

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
(703) 524-7600

Hotline:
Common Ground 24-hour Crisis Line
1-800-231-1127

Books:
Journey: A Story for Survivors
By Pamela Quauy and Farlow Wolgast

Healing After the Suicide of a Loved One
By Ann Smolin and Jon Guinan

In the Wake of a Suicide: Stories of the People Left Behind
By Victoria Alexander

When a Friend Dies
By Marilyn E. Gootman, Ed.D.

Some More Sites to Visit:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/behavior/suicide.html
-Information for parents

http://reachout.asn.au/

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