Adolescent Suicide - On The Rise?

From The Daniel Island News

Medical News
Adolescent Suicide - On The Rise?
By Cherie D. Tolley
Dec 23, 2009 - 11:35:10 AM

Our mental health series continues with a column crafted by Cherie Tolley, CEO of Palmetto Behavioral Health. Today she tackles adolescent suicide. Her next piece will discuss the stigma of mental health disease.

It is hard to imagine that a child or teenager would be in so much emotional distress that ending their life is a viable option. After all, supposedly our high school and college years are the best years of our lives! Is that really the case?

I know I am very happy to have survived adolescence and would not want to be a teenager again. During adolescence every problem or situation seems much bigger than it really is – something I refer to as the "drama effect" of adolescence. Consider the normal stressors every teen faces: peer pressure, competition for college acceptance, boyfriend/girlfriend issues, substance abuse, bullying (cyber and face-to-face), family concerns, being accepted – the list goes on. Too often adults tend to discount or minimize the impact these problems have on their teenager. From a purely developmental standpoint, the normal adolescent still lacks the ability or maturity to effectively problem solve, make sound decisions, or understand the emotional rollercoaster of raging hormones. Also, most youth typically live in the moment without considering the impact of their actions or decisions long term. Given all these factors, it is understandable that suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States!

No parent wants to consider that their child is so unhappy or distressed that suicide would be an option. It is difficult for parents to separate fleeting times of sadness from actual clinical depression. As is often the case with substance abuse in adolescence, many parents are in denial that their child would ever consider suicide. According to research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and The National Institute of Mental Health, for every completed suicide, it is estimated that there are around 25 suicide attempts. Studies show that in approximately four out of five suicide attempts there were warning signs that were missed. Some of those signs include:

Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities

Problems at work or home and losing interest

Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use

Behavioral problems

Withdrawing from family and friends

Sleep changes

Changes in eating habits

Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance

Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines)

Hard time concentrating and paying attention

Declining grades in school

Loss of interest in schoolwork

Risk taking behaviors

Complains more frequently of boredom

Does not respond as before to praise

Giving away personal belongings to friends or family members

It is essential that adults pay attention to these warning signs and not dismiss them. Most youth who attempt or complete suicide have told someone they were considering it. Parents, teachers, coaches and friends are in the best position to notice the warning signs. Don’t be afraid to talk with your teenager about the subject. Ask their opinion about the subject – is it something they would ever consider or have they ever thought about it? Make sure they know they can always talk to you about problems they are experiencing. Don’t discount their feelings, even though their feelings or thoughts may not seem rational to you. Remember, adolescence is by its very nature not a time of rational thought or behavior, so keep an open mind and a keen eye on the potential warning signs.

If you are concerned about a teenager, don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Share your concerns with their parents, teachers, or another adult who may be in a position to get help. If you are the concerned parent, get help for your teen. Don’t ignore the signs. Teen suicide is a very serious, real problem in our society. Your willingness to listen, observe, and pay attention to the signs may just save a life.

For more information on teen suicide visit The Jason Foundation website at www.jasonfoundation.com. You may also call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) if you know someone at risk of suicide. Teen Suicide Warning Signs Main Source Material: "Teen Suicide." Ohio State University Medical Center. Ohio State University. [Online.]