Suicides Among U.S. Youth at the Highest in 15 Years: Spotting the Warning Signs

What This Means to You

In some cases, suicide just can't be prevented — sometimes there's no warning whatsoever. But most teens who kill themselves — more than 90%, in fact — often show some signs of a mental health problem like depression before they tragically take their own lives, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). That's why it's absolutely crucial that these kids get the help they desperately need before it's too late.

Common red flags that someone may be thinking about or planning a suicide attempt include:

• talking about suicide (or death in general); "going away"; new, unrealistic plans or goals; or feeling trapped, hopeless, or without a purpose
• giving away possessions and referring to things they "won't be needing"
• pulling away from friends or family and losing the desire to go out
• showing no interest in enjoying favorite things or activities
• having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• experiencing dramatic changes in mood or eating or sleeping habits
• engaging in reckless or self-destructive behavior (like cutting, driving too fast, or abusing drugs or alcohol)
• feeling increasingly agitated, anxious, panicked, impulsive, irritable, aggressive, or angry
• seeming suddenly or increasingly restless (pacing or fidgeting), excited, or filled with energy (often with fast, driven speech)

Kids and teens are also at increased risk for suicide if they're having problems at home, in school, or with the law. And going through a stressful event or using drugs and alcohol can make things even worse.

Your support, understanding, and unconditional love are essential to helping your child get better, but you can't work through the often-complex issues that come with mental illness by yourselves. If you think your child might be depressed or having suicidal thoughts, call your doctor or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK for a referral to a mental health professional right away.

Depression that isn't diagnosed or adequately treated (with therapy and/or medications) increases the risk of self-harming behaviors such as cutting and suicide. As with any treatment, your doctor can help you weigh the benefits of antidepressants against the possible risks.

Getting appropriate and immediate treatment will help your child start healing and feeling like life is worth living again.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: September 2007

Sources: "Suicide Trends Among Youths and Young Adults Aged 10–24 Years — United States, 1990–2004," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Sept. 7, 2007. "Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents," AAP revised clinical report, Pediatrics, Sept. 2007.