Ways to prevent teen suicide
-Preventing suicide often means treating depression, since 75% of the people who commit suicide are depressed.It is possible to get professional help in preventing teen suicide. Indeed, this is a preferred option. You should see someone immediately (and never leave your teen alone) if you suspect that a suicide attempt is imminent. Some things you might try include:
Counseling. This can be done individually or as a family. Techniques allow your teenager to learn to cope with life. Often, when a teen learns how to handle problems (and families learn how to help), the desire to kill him or herself dissipates.
Residential treatment. This is treatment in which a suicidal teen goes elsewhere to live for a time. This can be a special treatment facility, or it can be a therapeutic boarding school. In these settings, the teenager is monitored 24/7 in order to prevent a suicide attempt. Additionally, most residential treatment facilities have trained professional staff that can help a suicidal teen.
Medication. This is often seen as a last resort, or as something complementary to other treatments. It is important to note that in some teenagers, medication can have the opposite effect desired; some studies show that for some teens anti-depressants actually increase the chance of teen suicide. Carefully consider your teen's needs before medicating.
Signs of Depression: the most common cause of teen suicide
- Long and/or frequent periods of sadness ("the blues").
- Irritability.
- Mood swings.
- Anxiety.
- Dramatic changes in weight, diet, sleep and friends.
- Feelings of worthlessness.
- Feelings of unexplained or unreasonable guilt.