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According to John Hopkins: Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24. The CDC reports that: Boys are four times more likely to die from suicide than girls. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys. Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides.
- Boys are four times more likely to die from suicide than girls.
- Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys.
- Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides.
What causes a teen to attempt suicide?
From the research, it can be several things; during these teen years, normal development can be unsettling when you combine it with other events such as:
- Dealing with rejection, failure, breakups
- They cannot see that they can turn their life around and that suicide is a permanent response, not a solution, to a temporary problem.
- Changes in families-divorce, moving
- Changes in friendships
- Problems in school
- Other losses
Risk factors?
- Those that have one or more mental health or substance abuse problems
- Impulsive behavior
- Loss
- Being Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, or any other sexual minority youth
- Being adopted
- Family history of mental and substance abuse problems
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence
- Past suicide attempt
- Gun in the home
- Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others such as from family, peers, movies
Warning signs:
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Acting-out behaviors and running away
- Alcohol and drug use
- Neglecting one’s personal appearance
- Unnecessary risk-taking
- Obsession with death and dying
- More physical complaints are often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Loss of interest in school or schoolwork
- Feeling bored
- Problems focusing
- Feeling they want to die
- Lack of response to praise
Another warning sign is making plans or efforts toward committing suicide:
- Says, “I want to kill myself,” or “I’m going to commit suicide.”
- Gives verbal hints, such as “I won’t be a problem much longer,” or “If anything happens to me, I want you to know ….”
- Gives away favorite possessions or throws away important belongings
- Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
- May express weird thoughts
- Writes one or more suicide notes
Treatment includes:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Possible Inpatient hospital admission
Prevention:
- Recognize the risk factors and warnings signs for suicide
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you need advice 1-800-273-8255.
- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Seek professional help
- Make sure guns and medications are not easily accessible
- Pay attention-listen to what your child is saying and watch they are acting
- Discourage isolation
- Monitor social media
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- https://youtu.be/3BByqa7bhto
- https://youtu.be/TIeBxeOxFyE
- https://youtu.be/TIeBxeOxFyE
