EARLY WARNING SIGNALS
OF TEENAGE SUICIDE

Raised in an affluent family, Neil was handsome and smart. Shortly before his 16th birthday, he walked to a nearby beach, undressed, and swam from shore until, totally exhausted, he drowned. In a note left ashore, Neil wrote: "I’ll never make it the way you want me to, so, for all concerned, I’d better cut out here."

Neil’s case was by no means isolated. Each year, an estimated 400,000 young people attempt to kill themselves; about 6,000 succeed. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents after accidents and homicide. The problem affects both sexes, and all races, nationalities, and income levels.

IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK?

The teenage years are an emotional roller coaster for parents and children alike. Your teenage child’s outlook may swing from elation to despair in a matter of days or even hours. Behavior is often impulsive.
Although there is no single cause of teenage suicide, researchers find certain situations are more likely to trigger underlying emotional problems:
-Loss of a loved one – a parent, friend, or boyfriend or girlfriend.
-A major disappointment or humiliation, either real or imagined.
-Lack of communication, especially with parents, about feelings of unhappiness, loneliness, isolation, failure, and frustration.
-Inability to compete in school, in a job, or in society.
-Lack of a stable family life in a home disrupted by tensions, discord, or alcohol or drug abuse.
-Feelings of a desire for revenge against a former girlfriend or boyfriend or other offending person.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Mental health professionals have isolated certain behaviors that may indicate suicidal tendencies. Here are the most common:
-Radical personality changes such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in usual activities, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.
-Withdrawal from family, friends, and regular activities.
-Noticeable changes in eating or sleeping habits or energy level; neglect of personal appearance.
-Falling grades or a decline in the quality of schoolwork.
-Difficulty in concentrating.
-Violent or rebellious behavior.
-Drug or alcohol abuse.
-Physical symptoms often related to emotional disturbances, such as stomachache, headache, or fatigue.
-Thoughts expressed of despair, death or suicide.
-Suicide attempts, even those that are meant to fail.
-Give verbal hints, statements such as "I won’t be a problem for you much longer" and "Nothing matters."
-Put affairs in order – give away favorite possessions, throw things out, clean up his or her room.
- Suddenly become cheerful after prolonged depression – the final decision has been made, which is in itself a form of relief.

WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP

If your teen exhibits any of the warning signals stated above, particularly over a period of days or weeks, seek professional help. Your family physician can refer you to a mental health specialist, a mental health center, hospital or clinic, or a family services agency. Also, social workers, teachers, and clergy can be valuable sources of help.
In a life-threatening situation, dial the 911 emergency number or, if your community doesn’t offer this service, call a local hospital. In a serious but non-emergency situation, call your local suicide crisis number or mental health association.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Your attitude toward your child is a key to keeping despondency from turning into thoughts of suicide. Experts suggest these tips:
-Don’t lose patience with your child’s stress-induced hostile or infantile behavior.
-Take threats seriously. Talk of suicide often precedes the act. Keep the lines of communication open.
-Demonstrate your love and acceptance of your child, complete with his or her hang-ups and problems.
-Talk it out. Don’t be afraid to talk to your child about feelings of unhappiness, inadequacy, and thoughts of suicide. Remind him or her that even seemingly unsolvable problems can almost always be worked out.
-Offer direction. Once a warm, trusting rapport has been established, suggest professional help.

RESOURCES

For further information on teenage suicide, write to:
Public Inquiries Section, National Institute of Mental Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857

American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 3615 Wisconsin Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20016

American Association of Suicidology, 2459 S. Ash, Denver, CO 80222

Author: William Cole as published in Better Homes and Gardens, October 1985