Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Teen Suicide
Suicides among young people nationwide have increased
dramatically in recent years. Each year in the U.S.,
thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third
leading cause of death for youths 15 to 24 years old, and
the sixth leading cause of death for youngsters 5 to 14
years old.
Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion,
and self-doubt. There also may be pressure to succeed,
financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up.
For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family
with stepparents and stepsiblings, or moving to a new
community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-
doubts. In some cases, suicide appears to be a solution.
Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental
disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her
illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment
plans need to be developed. When parents are in doubt
whether their child has a serious problem, an examination by
a mental health care professional can be very helpful.
Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to
those of depression. Parents should be aware of the
following signs of adolescents who may try to kill
themselves. If one or more of these signs occur, parents
need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek
professional help when the concerns persist:
- change in eating and sleeping habits
- withdrawal from friends, family, and regular
activities
- violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
- drug and alcohol use
- unusual neglect of personal appearance
- marked personality change
- persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a
decline in the quality of schoolwork
- frequent complaints about physical symptoms often
related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, and
fatigue
- loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- intolerance of praise or rewards.
A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:
- complain of being "rotten inside"
- give verbal hints with statements such as: "I won't be a
problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no
use," or "I won't see you again"
- put his or her affairs in order (for example, give away
favorite possessions, clean his or her room, or throw
away important belongings)
- become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.
If a child or adolescent says, "I want to kill myself," or
"I'm going to commit suicide," always take the statement
seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent
psychiatrist or other physician or mental health
professional. People often feel uncomfortable talking about
death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he
or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be
helpful. Rather than putting thoughts in the child's head,
such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares
and is willing to give the young person the chance to talk
about problems.
With support from family and professional treatment,
children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return
to a healthier path of development.
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