Preventing Teen Suicide

What makes preventing teen suicide more important today than ever before? Due to the recent rash of high-profile suicides of teenagers, the issue is now more visible than ever before. Experts tell us that the increasing pressure from peer pressure, family stress and even school bullying can lead to many teens feeling hopeless and helpless. Many teens feel like they are fighting an uphill battle against the problems that they face.

preventing teen suicide

A teenager who is struggling with mental health issues is at higher risk for suicide than an adult who isn’t suffering from mental health issues. The reasons why this is true are complicated. Because of the complicated mix of genetics, brain chemistry and psychological development, there simply isn’t any one answer for why some people suffer from mental health issues while others don’t. However, experts do agree that if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, it’s important to seek help.

In the past, a parent’s role in preventing suicidal adolescents was more limited than it is today. Today, there are several resources available that parents can use to get help for their children. There are also several educational programs that parents can use. In most instances, professionals agree that the best way to help a child struggling with suicidal thoughts is to take the child to the advice of a mental health professional such as a psychologist or pediatrician.

There are warning signs that should be on the lookout for when it comes to children who are thinking of suicide. It’s important to note that these signs vary from person to person, as well. For example, there are warning signs that occur in only a few cases. It might take a bit more work to identify a child who may be suffering from suicidal thoughts, but in most cases, a parent will be able to tell their child at least one thing that makes them more likely to try and kill themselves rather than attempt to go through with it. There are several warning signs of suicidal thoughts that parents can look for.

One warning sign of suicidal behavior is depression. If your teen is frequently withdrawing from friends and school, this could be a sign of depression. Other signs include being obsessed with death and suicidal violence, frequent crying, avoiding relationships and being overly talkative. Sometimes a suicidal teen might even claim to be abused by others; this is often used as a justification for the suicide attempts.

Getting a diagnosis early is one of the best ways to start helping prevent suicide attempts in teens. There are several risk factors that exist when it comes to suicidal thoughts and behavior. Depression, anxiety and substance abuse are just a few of the risk factors. There are other psychological problems that exist and can contribute to suicidal thoughts. This is where mental health and wellness can play a large role in preventing teen suicide attempts.

The best way to keep teens safe and ensure that they will not take their own lives is to provide a supportive environment for them. Allowing a suicidal teenager to flourish in a mental health and wellness vacuum is far too risky. Parents need to work together to provide an atmosphere of emotional support and physical safety. Many health professionals recommend psychotherapy and medication as ways to help prevent suicide attempts. These methods often target some of the most common and dangerous risk factors that exist. With proper counseling and medications, most teenagers can overcome depression, anxiety and substance abuse, among other warning signs.

Every parent should know and understand the warning signs of teen suicide. If you suspect your child might be struggling with depression or another psychological problem, talk to him or her today. Your child needs your love and attention more than ever. Take the time to learn all you can about preventing teen suicide and share this information with your entire family. Together, you can fight against all of the many risk factors and find a way to feel secure and safe with your adolescent.