Suicide is when a teen causes his or her own death on purpose. Shows behavior that concerns friends, family, or teachers, and others express concern about this behavior and ask you to seek helpĬall 911 if your teen has suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan, and the means to carry out the plan. When should I call my teen’s healthcare provider?Ĭall your teen’s healthcare provider right away if your teen:įeels extreme depression, fear, anxiety, or anger toward him or herself or others Talk right away with an adult they trust about their friend. Take their friend’s behavior and talk of suicide seriously.Įncourage their friend to seek expert help. Teens can take these steps to help prevent suicide if they see warning signs in a friend: Loss of interest in social and sports activities

Resources include the public library, local support groups, and the Internet.įeelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness Listen, try not to offer undue criticism, and stay connected.īecome informed about teen suicide. Get your teen help for any mental or substance abuse problems. Keep medicines and guns away from children and teens. Keeping open communication with your teen and his or her friends gives you a chance to help when needed. Learning the warning signs of teen suicide can prevent an attempt. How can I help prevent my teen from attempting suicide? This gives the child a supervised and safe environment. Parents play a vital role in treatment.Īn extended hospital stay, if needed. Treatment starts with a detailed evaluation of events in your teen’s life during the 2 to 3 days before the suicidal behaviors. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. How is a teen treated for suicidal behavior? This often will take place at an inpatient facility to make sure of the child’s safety. He or she should then get a mental health evaluation and treatment until he or she is stable. Talk with your teen’s healthcare provider about suicide and have a written emergency plan.Īny teen who has tried to commit suicide needs a physical checkup first to rule out life-threatening health problems. Any teen who expresses thoughts of suicide should not be left alone and should be evaluated right away. Always take such statements, thoughts, behaviors, or plans very seriously. How is a teen diagnosed as being suicidal? Have your teen see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. These warning signs may seem like other health problems. Gives away favorite things or throws away important belongingsīecomes suddenly cheerful after being depressed Gives verbal hints, such as “I won't be a problem much longer,” or “If anything happens to me, I want you to know. Says “I want to kill myself,” or “I'm going to commit suicide.” More physical complaints often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)Īnother warning sign is making plans or efforts toward committing suicide: Withdrawal from friends and family members Many of the warning signs of suicide are also symptoms of depression. What are the warning signs of teen suicide? Undesirable life events such as being bullied or recent losses, such as the death of a parentįamily history of mental or substance abuse problemsįamily violence, including physical, sexual, or verbal or emotional abuseĮxposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as from family or peers, in the news, or in fiction stories One or more mental or substance abuse problems Which teens are at risk for suicide?Ī teen’s risk for suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. For some, suicide may seem like a solution. These problems may seem too hard or embarrassing to overcome.

He or she may also feel a pressure to succeed.įor some teens, normal developmental changes can be very unsettling when combined with other events, such as:Ĭhanges in their families, such as divorce, siblings moving out, or moving to a new town Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and doubt may affect a teen’s problem-solving and decision-making. These include body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Guns are used in more than half of all youth suicides. Girls are more likely to try to commit suicide than boys. The CDC reports that:īoys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24. That’s when a teen is focused on doing things that cause his or her own death. He or she may also have suicidal behavior. Before trying to take their own life, a teen may have thoughts of wanting to die.