Take Teen Suicide Threats Seriously

Is Your Teenager at Risk?

Teen suicide is a terrifying prospect for parents and carers.

It needs to be faced if you are worried about teenagers and stress or a depressed teenager.

Causes for Teenage Suicide

Teen suicide may occur without warning. Hopefully there will be some sign that something is wrong so you can be watchful.

The urge for someone to kill themselves is all about trying to stop the overwhelming sense of pain they feel.

They don't believe the pain can be eased in any other way.

Here are some of the triggers for teen suicide:

• Major depression can lead a teenager (or anyone) to feel that life is not worth living.
• Stress or disappointment in an otherwise ‘normal’ teenager can also be a cause.

It’s important to remember that we all experience things in different ways and that what may seem to be a minor incident to us can be devastating for someone else. Troubled teenagers and children are particularly sensitive as they just don’t have the life experience to cope.

Sometimes a minor slight or criticism can be the ‘last straw’ in a string of disappointments and hurt for a depressed teenager.

Signs or Symptoms of Suicide

Your teenager may (or may not) show one or more of the following behavior changes:

• Talking about suicide.
• Saying things like, “well, you won’t have to worry about me for much longer”.
• Risk taking behaviour.
• Behaviour that sets them up for a bad time.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• An extreme change in mood from very sad and angry to very happy for no apparent reason.
• Anyone who has attempted suicide in the past is always at risk of trying again.

If you notice these things then you must act immediately. Visit your doctor with or without your teen and see about help.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Teen Suicide

Are you sure the comments you've heard on teen suicide in the past are true or not?

Let's see...

Anyone who talks about suicide isn’t going to do it.
Not True. It’s very common for people who are depressed or upset enough to kill themselves to talk about it or give some kind of sign first.

If someone wants to kill themselves nothing will stop them.
Not true. Suicidal feelings can be very short lived. A person’s situation can change for the better, or a depressed person’s medication may start working. These factors can help the urge to suicide to pass. Suicide is about stopping the overwhelming pain of the moment.

Only crazy people kill themselves.
Not true. Depressed teenagers who are planning on committing suicide are generally very clear thinking and methodical in their preparation. Teens at risk of committing suicide can still appear quite rational.

Talking about suicide will make it worse.
Not true. Talking about it won’t put the idea into a troubled teenagers head. It always helps to talk about how they are feeling and how else they may stop the pain. It’s an opportunity to stop teen suicide by letting them know they are valued, loved, needed and not worthless.

Teenage Depression

According to the news reports, teenage depression and teen suicide is on the increase.

It seems that it is more and more likely that our kids will suffer some kind of depression at some time.

Read more here...

Why Do Teenagers Take Drugs?

You can help them make better choices for themselves if you know what you are up against.

Read more here...

Teenagers Drinking Alcohol

It's not possible to make rational decsions when you are drinking excessively. Even more dangerous when the drinkers are troubled teenagers.

Read more here...

Talking to Teens

Of course, listening is part of talking, so it pays to make an effort not to sound like you are giving a lecture.

Communication between you and your teenager is of enormous importance. Take the time to get it right.

Read more here...

Return from Teen Suicide to Teenage Depression

Return from Teen Suicide to Better Living Ideas