Growing cases of suicides among youngsters

Suicide is the deliberate death of a person. Family, friends, and the community are devastated when a young person passes away from extreme hopelessness or frustration. It’s possible that the young person’s parents, siblings, classmates, coaches, and neighbours will question whether there was anything they could have done to stop them from committing suicide. Take your concerns seriously and speak to your adolescent or another youngster as soon as possible if you have any. You can also look to these sites for assistance around-the-clock:

Which Teenagers Are Suicide Risks?

It might be hard to recall how it was to be a teenager trapped between adolescence and maturity. Yes, it is a time of great opportunity, but it can also be a time of stress and concern. There is pressure to excel academically, fit in socially, and behave appropriately.

Additionally, adolescence is a time of sexual identity, romantic relationships, and a yearning for independence that frequently runs counter to social norms and expectations.

Suicidal thoughts are more likely to occur in young individuals who have mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or sleeplessness.

What are the Suicide Warning Signs?

Teen suicide frequently occurs after a traumatic life event, such as academic difficulties, a split with a romantic partner, the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or a significant family dispute. Teenagers who are contemplating suicide may:

• Write songs, poetry, or letters about death, separation, and loss
• Give indications that they might not be around much longer
• Talk about feeling sad or guilty
• Pull away from friends or family
• start parting with prized goods to siblings or friends
• lose interest in preferred pursuits or hobbies struggle with concentration or clarity change eating or sleeping patterns

What Can Parents Do?

Many teens who die by or attempt suicide have given some type of warning to loved ones ahead of time. So it’s important for parents to know the warning signs so teens who might be suicidal can get the help they need.

Even though it’s not always preventable, it’s always a good idea to be informed and take action to help a troubled teenager.

Some adults feel that kids who say they are going to hurt or kill themselves are “just doing it for attention.” It’s important to realize that if teens are ignored when seeking attention, it may increase the chance of them harming themselves.

Getting attention in the form of ER visits, doctor’s appointments, and residential treatment generally is not something teens want — unless they’re seriously depressed and thinking about suicide or at least wishing they were dead. It’s important to see warning signs as serious, not as “attention-seeking” to be ignored.

Watch and Listen

Keep a close eye on a teen who is depressed and withdrawn. Understanding depression in teens is very important because it can look different from commonly held beliefs about depression. For example, it may take the form of problems with friends, grades, sleep, or being cranky and irritable rather than chronic sadness or crying.

Try to keep the lines of communication open and express your concern, support, and love. If your teen confides in you, show that you take those concerns seriously. A fight with a friend might not seem like a big deal to you, but for a teen it can feel immense and consuming. Don’t minimize or ignore what your teen is going through, as this can increase their sense of hopelessness.

If your teen doesn’t feel comfortable talking with you, suggest a more neutral person, such as another relative, a clergy member, a coach, a school counselor, or your child’s doctor.

Ask Questions

Some parents are reluctant to ask teens if they have been thinking about suicide or hurting themselves. Some fear that by asking, they will plant the idea of suicide in their teen’s head.

It’s always a good idea to ask, even though it can be hard. Sometimes it helps to explain why you’re asking. For instance, you might say: “I’ve noticed that you’ve been talking a lot about wanting to be dead. Have you been having thoughts about trying to kill yourself?”

Helping Teens Cope With Loss

What should you do if someone your teen knows has attempted or died by suicide? First, acknowledge your child’s many emotions. Some teens say they feel guilty — especially those who felt they could have interpreted their friend’s actions and words better.

Others say they feel angry with the person who committed or attempted suicide for having done something selfish. Still others say they feel no strong emotions or don’t know how to express how they feel. Reassure your child that there is no right or wrong way to feel, and that it’s OK to talk about it when they’re ready.

When someone attempts suicide and survives, people might be afraid of or uncomfortable talking with them about it. Tell your teen to resist this urge — this is a time when a person needs to feel connected to others.

Many schools address a student’s suicide by calling in special counselors to talk with the students and help them cope. If your teen is dealing with a friend or classmate’s suicide, encourage them to use resources or to talk to you or another trusted adult.

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