Killing yourself won't make you happy, it will simply make you dead.


















In the next 24 hours 1,439 Teens will attempt suicide. Many young people may feel
lonely, sad, and anxious at times. It is a normal part of growing up. But for some,
these feelings can become very powerful. A teen may feel helpless. He or she may
start to see suicide as the only way out. But choosing death is never a solution to a
problem. It is only an escape.

At one time, suicide was considered a disgrace. In parts of Europe, people who
killed themselves were often buried at a crossroads. This was intended to draw
attention and shame to the suicide. For many years, suicide was considered a
crime in some parts of the United States.

Many movies, plays, and books tell stories about teens that killed themselves.
Remember the two young lovers in Shakespeare's Romeo and Julie? They each
took their own life when they thought the other was dead. But suicide is neither
romantic nor glamorous. It helps no one. Young people can be very unhappy at
times. But they may not truly want to die. They may need to know that someone
cares. They may need to be shown that they have other choices. They need to be
encouraged to choose life.

Suicide is always tragic. But it is especially sad when a young person decides that
life is not worth living. That person's friends and family will feel pain and grief for the
rest of their lives.

After every teen suicide, grief-stricken friends try to understand how someone they
knew and loved could have such strong feelings. How could it happen without
anyone else knowing or being able to help? School counselors and teachers
grieve too. They know that such death could almost certainly have been prevented.
Counseling, or "crisis intervention," can save lives. But people must be aware in
order to help.


What makes teens feel so bad?

It is not possible to list all the reasons why teens decide to take their own lives. But
here are some of the more common causes:

1- Feeling rejected, abandoned, or alone

2- Low self-esteem, or feeling like a failure

3- Feeling ashamed, unworthy of forgiveness

4- Pressures at school, home or with friends

5- Problems with alcohol or drugs

6- Feelings of hopelessness or depression (sadness that does not go away and
has no clear cause)

7- Feeling afraid of something or someone

Often teens that kill themselves have had upsetting experiences of some kind.
Young suicide victims may leave notes behind when they die.

It's not easy being a teen. Some of the problems teen suicide victims list may
seem much more serious than others. But all of these problems are very real to the
people who experience them

These problems can also trigger some of the uncomfortable feelings listed. For
example, a parent's divorce may make a teen feel rejected and abandoned. He or
she may not be able to cope with new pressures at home. The teen years are full of
powerful and confusing emotions that can last a long time.

Young people who say they want to die often think these painful feelings will never
go away. They are wrong. Bad feelings can go away. It may not be easy to work
through these feelings and it will probably take time. But it is possible to get help
and turn your life around. For teens who are deeply troubled, there is no time to
waste. For them, it may be a matter of life or death.

Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to
succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teens,
suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress.

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 developed. When parents are in doubt whether their
child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful.

If a child or adolescent says, I want to kill myself, or I'm going to commit suicide,
always take the statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a
qualified 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 will give the
young person the chance to talk about problems.

If one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their
concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. With support
from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal
can heal and return to a healthier path of development.



www.aacap.org
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15-19 years in
the United States. 61% of all suicides in the United States are accomplished by
firearm. Hanging and strangulation account for 15% of suicide deaths, gas
poisoning for 7% and other forms including overdose 10%. No one should feel
guilty about not preventing a suicide that has already taken place, everyone can
feel optimistic about the possibility of preventing a suicide in the future.


















WARNING SIGNS  

The person actually talks about suicide.
The person talks about feeling hopeless and/or worthless.
The person gives away important possessions.
The person seems to be getting his/her affairs in order.
The person seems preoccupied with death.
The person no longer shows an interest in favorite things or activities.
Although the person has seemed sad, suddenly he/she is calm   and
happy.
The person is reckless, endangering his/her life and/or those of others.
The person is abusing drugs and/or alcohol.
The person has suffered a recent loss: employment, death, divorce,
money, status, relationship, etc.
The person suffers from symptoms of depression.


What can you do to help?

Ask if the person is thinking about suicide.
Listen openly and without judging.
Believe what a person says, and take all threats seriously.
Never keep someone's suicidal feelings a secret.
Share responsibility by getting others involved.
Reassure the person that help is available, and support and encourage
him/her to reach out to sources of help in the community.
Act immediately if you feel someone is at imminent risk for suicide by
involving others who can help...  and if necessary make contact with the
police, emergency services, or a hospital to ensure the person's safety.

Who can help?


Suicide Facts

There are several facts about suicide that we do know:

1. Suicide rate in young people has been increasing.
2. Suicide is uncommon in children under the age of 10 but its incidence      
increase after the onset of puberty and peaks at young adulthood.
3. There are many more attempted suicides than completed suicides.
4. Many youths (between 60-80%) have sought help within the previous month
before the suicide.
5. There is an increased risk if the youth has a previous history of attempted
suicide.
6. Many completed suicides are well planned with the youths intending to kill
themselves.
7. Suicide has major impact on family members and the youth's peers.
8. "Copy cat" suicides can occur and may follow dramatic portrayals of suicides on
television programs or media items.


Statistics

The adolescent suicide rate is nearly 33% higher than that of the overall
population.

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of adolescent death, following homicide and
accidents.

As many as a quarter of a million adolescents make a serious unsuccessful effort
to kill themselves every year.

About every 20 seconds someone in America attempts suicide.

Every 90 minutes a teenager or young adult is successful in killing themselves.

Guns are the most common means of suicide among males.

Pills are the most commonly used means of suicide for females.

April is the month with the highest suicide rate

When a person who's been depressed for a long time seems to cheer up, it is
often a bad sign. A person who has seemed to reach a kind of peace or
contentment after a long period of depression may actually be feeling relieved: He
or she has finally decided to commit suicide and that decision brings a certain
kind of relief.

To contemplate suicide at any age is awful. When it involves a teenager, who has a
life full of potential ahead of them, it is almost too awful. Suicide is the third leading
cause of death among young people aged 15-24 and suicide is the 2nd leading
cause of death among college students.

The statistics suggest that while women make more attempts at suicide, men are
more likely to succeed. In fact there are 4 male suicides for every 1 female suicide.

In the course of development adolescence is recognized as one of the most
volatile. Adolescence is characterized by role change; communication can be
problematic; teens often feel very isolated. Sometimes an event in life can seem
so terrible and painful that suicide is viewed as the only solution.

Some suicides are planned and some are impulsive. The list below gives some
warning signs that a teen may be seriously considering suicide. If a parent or
friend knows what to look out for, it may help avoid another teen suicide.


Suicide Warning Signs

One of the significant warning signs is a previous suicide attempt
Marked changes in personality, mood
Giving away personal possession, cleaning their room and throwing out
things they own
Talking about suicide, wanting to die, saying life is not worth living, or
expressing feelings of worthlessness
Depression, great sadness
Feelings of hopelessness and/or guilt
Feelings of isolation and loneliness
Changes to sleep patterns (such as excessive sleeping, early morning
wakening, not sleeping well)
Withdrawing from activities and family
Having difficulty communicating. Being unable or having great difficulty
talking
Changes to eating habits and appetite
Inability to concentrate
Losing interest in things they previously enjoyed
Having a friend or family member who has committed suicide
Using drugs or alcohol. There is some evidence that people who use are
more likely to make a successful suicide attempt
Sudden marked behavioral changes such as restlessness or reckless
behavior
Changes in academic performance
Loss of interest in personal appearance
Marks of self harming such as scratches or wounds on the body

Teen Suicide Risk Factors

There are times in a teenagers life that can contribute or make a teen more
vulnerable to a suicidal act. These include;

The breakup of a relationship with a girlfriend. This is one of the most
common
causes and a very significant event.
Failing or doing badly in a test
Feeling badly humiliated
Recent loss of a friend, a family member, a pet from death or suicide.
Sometimes,
very rarely, a suicide in a school or community can act as a trigger for other
teens
Loss of a parent due to divorce
Abuse
Being a victim of bullying
Problems with the law
An unplanned pregnancy
Causing injury or death to another person
An anniversary of a tragic event

Some of the signs are more obvious than others. It may be a combination of them
that will be significant and an expert in the field will be able to make that judgement
and provide the support and possible treatment the person needs.


Getting Help for those at Suicide Risk

Getting help for teens expressing suicidal intent or showing the warning signs is so important. There are a number of avenues open to you to get the teenager the
help they need. Support and reassurance are important. Help is available from a
number of different sources; school, school councilors, teachers, family doctors,
psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, voluntary organizations, community
mental health center, local hospital or social agency.


In Urgent Situations

Contact your family doctor, or consult a mental health doctor urgently If a teen is in
what you believe to be in imminent danger call 911, do not leave them. If the
guardian of the affected teen does not seem to respond to your information to help
and you believe the teen is at risk of suicide contact your local family or psychiatric
services and they can make an evaluation. Sometimes a parent or guardian is
unable to see or judge the urgency of the situation.


Suicide Cannot Always be Prevented

Teen suicide may come with no warnings signs or warning signs may be missed
and intent misjudged. Experts in the field can find it difficult to judge a person's
mental state, so parents and friends do not always make the right decision either.
"Teenage Problems"
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