Leading the Way

Teen Suicide

 Introduction

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are nearly 19 suicides per 100,000 South Dakotans aged 15-24 – the third highest rate in the nation (2000-2001).  In the South Dakota 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 18% of the responding middle and high school students reported seriously thinking about suicide in the year leading up to the survey; 14% planned a way to kill themselves and 9% actually attempted suicide during that time.

Any time a young person dies, it is tragic.  Children and teens that die by their own hands leave behind a legacy of grief, anger and bewilderment for family, friends – even people who never knew them well.  The despair that leads to suicide is just as painful, but with intervention the pain may be alleviated and the suicide averted.

The Sioux Falls School District uses the “ALI” program in middle and high schools.  Students are encouraged to Ask other young people how they are feeling and thinking; Listen to what people are saying, and Inform a caring, trusted adult when they have concerns about someone.  School staff work together on teaching the students when not to keep a secret, such as when they believe someone is intending self-harm.

Parents and other adults can also play a major role in steering someone away from suicide.  Understand the risk factors, know the warning signs, develop a plan and become familiar with the resources available. 

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SUICIDE RISK FACTORS

Every suicide attempt is a clear sign that something is gravely wrong in a person’s life. No matter the race or age of the person; how rich or poor they are, it is true that most people who commit suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. SAMSHA research has found that the most common underlying disorder is depression; 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.

It can be hard to recognize depression in younger children and teens – especially in adolescent boys, where it seems they are angry or sullen, not sad.  If the following signs of depression lasts more than a week or so without relief, the child’s condition should be taken very seriously and parents should seek help.  

Signs of developing depression in teens include:
Unhappiness
Gradual withdrawal into helplessness and apathy
Isolated behavior
Drop in school performance
Loss of interest in activities that formerly were sources of enjoyment
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness
Fatigue or lack of energy or motivation
Change in sleep habits 
Change in eating habits
Self-neglect
Preoccupation with sad thoughts or death
Loss of concentration
Increase in physical complaints
Sudden outbursts of temper
Reckless or dangerous behavior
Increased drug or alcohol abuse
Irritability; restlessness  

In addition to depression, other risk factors for teen suicide include:

þ   Substance abuse – Teens may try using alcohol or other drugs to relieve their emotional pain and depression, but the substances may increase the depression, as well as lowering inhibitions and clouding their thinking.
þ  Behavior problems – Fighting with parents, getting in trouble at school or with the law may signal a self-destructive behavior.
þ  Availability of a gun, large amounts of medication or other lethal objects – Simply having these items in the house is not a cause of suicide; but the availability of them combined with teenaged impulsiveness can be a deadly combination. 
þ  Previous suicide attempts – Half of all young people who make one suicide attempt will make another, generally within a year.
þ  A family history of depression or substance abuse – These conditions may run in families, and adolescents may not feel the support network at home they need in order to cope with the issues they face.
þ  A recent traumatic event – Adults may see a death in the family, a divorce or job loss as the most serious events their child face.  Parents sometimes fail to understand that, to a teen, seemingly minor situations – breaking up with a girl/boyfriend, failing a test, getting grounded – take on major proportions.  Young people lack the experience and perspective to effectively cope with these setbacks, and may feel their entire life hangs in the balance.  
þ  Past or recent physical or sexual abuse – Abuse increases feelings of isolation, helplessness and despair.
þ  A weak support network - Poor relationships with parents or peers leads to feelings of social isolation and fails to offer a lifeline to the young person.
þ  Difficulty dealing with sexual orientation - Especially in an unsupportive family or community or hostile school environment

A suicide of a schoolmate, friend, or even a celebrity receiving media coverage can encourage suicidal impulses in young people.  Suicides sometimes occur in clusters, in which one suicide influences other people already at risk for suicide.
(Adopted from Teen Suicide by Dr. Richard O’Connor as published on Focus Adolescent Services: Teen Suicide and from About Teen Suicide from Kids Health for Parents)

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