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RESOURCES - Articles
Teens at Risk: How to Recognize
and Prevent Adolescent Suicide - Q&A
What is considered normal adolescent
behavior?
It is almost impossible to define “normal” teenage behavior. Clearly,
it’s not normal for teens to be unhappy. A recent study revealed that most
teens get along fine with their parents, feel that their future is full of opportunities
and can control themselves in most situations.
Why do so many teens commit suicide?
Adolescence is a period of turmoil for most teens. Stress alone doesn’t
lead to suicide, but a combination of many causes, such as psychiatric disorders,
substance abuse, divorce, the death of a loved one and the availability of lethal
drugs and weapons may cause teens to contemplate taking their own lives.
What is the connection between substance abuse and suicide?
Studies have found that more than one-third of all suicide victims have a history
of substance abuse. Using drugs appears to act as a means of breaking down the
isolation that can afflict a suicidal teenager. For some troubled teenagers,
drugs break down a teen’s inhibitions, facilitating impulsive and thrill-seeking
actions that may result in suicide.
Are older teens more likely to kill themselves than younger teens?
The older the teenager, the greater the access to guns, cars, and drugs — all
potential instruments of suicide. This greater access, combined with the older
teens emerging awareness of suicide as an option, can result in a higher rate
of suicide than younger teens.
How do you identify a teen with suicidal tendencies before it’s
too late?
The warning signs that precede a suicide attempt may include a refusal to communicate,
giving away possessions, becoming morose and isolated, involvement with drugs
or alcohol, frequent crying spells, a sense of hopelessness for the future, or
talking about suicide and death. You can avert the tragedy of suicide by paying
serious attention to any of these clues and making sure the teen has access to
help.
Are type “A” super achievers at risk of suicide?
Teens who may be pushing themselves beyond their natural ability and trying to
compensate for what they perceive to be their inadequacies often don’t
show any of the more obvious warning signs of suicide. These teens may be experts
at covering up their feelings and may give few clues about their intentions.
An adolescent does not have to look, seem, or act sad and depressed to attempt
suicide.
What can parents & schools do to prevent suicide?
Parents must be aware of what’s going on in their teenager’s lives
and be able to recognize the warning signs. For example, knowing why an adolescent
is doing badly academically can solve other problems besides poor grades. In
addition to teaching students the warning signs of suicide and what actions to
take, school suicide programs need to be expanded to reach the high-risk teen.
Educators should also be trained to identify potentially troubled students.
Should hospitalization be a last resort?
If there is a serious chance that the adolescent may harm himself in any way,
then consideration of hospitalization is mandatory. Hospitalization offers maximum
protection against a person’s self-destructive behaviors. A hospital can
provide the neutral ground necessary for therapy, not only for the adolescent
but also for all of the family members in need of help and support.
How can professional treatment help the suicidal teen?
Professional evaluations, interventions, and treatments can help address the
problems, strengths, needs and weaknesses of the adolescent patient and the patient’s
family. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be an important part of treating a potentially
suicidal teenager since it fosters an improved self-image and offers constructive
alternatives to destructive behavior, without requiring the teenager to possess
great insight or communicative skills.
Foundations Behavioral Health
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