Education.com

Teen Suicide

State: Rhode Island Department of Education
Updated on Sep 30, 2009

The Problem of Teen Suicide

The teen years are a time when your child experiences many changes. Although these may seem like some of the happiest years of your child's life, they can also be the most confusing. Overwhelming feelings of stress, sadness, uncertainty, and pressure to succeed are not uncommon during adolescence. These already strong feelings are often intensified by changes in their life such as a move to a different community, a divorce, troubles with school, or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. For some, suicide may seem like the only solution to their problems.

Suicide and suicide attempts among teens is a daily occurrence in the United States. Nationally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10 to 14 year olds. More adolescents die by suicide then by cancer, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. Before completing suicide, many teens have persistent suicidal thoughts and/or make a suicide attempt. According to a school-based survey of 9 th through 12 th graders in Rhode Island, almost 10% of students said that they had actually made a suicide attempt and 17% said that they had given a suicide attempt serious thought.

Recognizing Signs of Suicidal Behavior in Your Teen

The following is a list of suicidal warning signs. Parents should watch their teens for these signs and symptoms, particularly if they last for more than two weeks.

  • Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Change in eating or sleeping habits
  • Violent actions, unusual defiance, or rebellious behavior
  • Inability to concentrate and make decisions
  • Periods of boredom or restlessness
  • Drop in the quality of schoolwork and/or poor attendance at school
  • Frequent complaints of physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and/or extreme fatigue
  • Neglect of personal appearance
  • Notable personality change
  • Threatening or attempting to kill oneself and/or making plans, even jokingly
  • Giving away personal, meaningful possessions

A teen that is planning to commit suicide may also complain of being a bad person, feeling rotten inside, and give verbal hints such as:

  • I won't be a problem for you much longer
  • Nothing matters
  • It's no use
  • I won't see you again
  • Things would be better if I had never been born
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