Keep kids safe by keeping on the alert for these signals that a teen may be considering ending his or her life.
- Suicidal talk. Most teens who attempt suicide let someone else know about their intentions. For that reason, each and every comment that indicates suicidal ideation must be taken seriously. Comments can be either specific (“I wish I were dead,” or “I should just kill myself,”) or more vague (Everyone would be better off without me,” or “I wish I were never born,”)
- Saying goodbye. The teen may be attempting to tie up loose ends, get affairs in order, and give prized possessions away to those close to him.
- Plans. Generally speaking, teens who have spent the time and energy developing detailed, specific plans of how they might kill themselves are at a higher risk of attempting suicide than those whose plans are vague and unclear. If the student has a specific time, place, and means in mind, she is at extremely high risk.
- Recent loss. Life-altering losses, such as death of a friend or family member, parents’ divorce, or other event can be earth shattering for a teen. But keep in mind that events such as a romantic breakup, moving to a new school, physical illness, failure in school, or other losses can be traumatic for teens as well.
- History of depression. Students who are or have been depressed in the past are generally at higher risk. They generally have a more pessimistic world view and fewer emotional resources. These teens may also have thinking distortions that prevent them from seeing other options to their problems.
- Previous suicidal talk or action. If this has happened before, that means that the teen views suicide as a rational response to life’s problems.
- Friend or relative who committed suicide. Similarly, if someone close to the teen has committed suicide, this reinforces the idea that suicide is a reasonable option.
- Alcohol and drug use. Being drunk or high can impact teens’ judgment and decision making skills. It can also cause them to engage in riskier behavior and lower their inhibitions.
- Lack of coping skills. If teens don’t have effective ways to manage their problems and emotions, they are more likely to view ending their life as a viable option.
- Lack of support system. Teens who have close relationships that provide strong emotional support are at lower risk for suicide than those who don’t. Having someone to share concerns and feelings with can help kids feel heard and valued, and can help them develop problem-solving and coping skills.
If a student talks about wanting to end their life, a mental health professional should assess the degree of risk and whether or not the teen poses a threat to himself. Your program should have clear guidelines on how to handle these types of situations. Parents should be notified immediately, and the child should never be left alone until the can be assessed by someone trained to do so.
The copyright of the article Teen Suicide Warnings Signs in At-Risk Youth Support is owned by Susan Carney. Permission to republish Teen Suicide Warnings Signs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
