Teen Depression and Suicide: What Parents Should
Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D. is a Clinical Psychologist from the United States who works with the Community Center Shanghai and Parkway Health. She is also President and a founding member of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association (www.s-imha.org). In her work with the Community Center Shanghai, she conducts the Signs Of Suicide (SOS) Middle and High School Suicide Prevention Program, a widely studied, evidence-based program, to international schools in Shanghai.
Appeared in Shanghai Courier, January 2010.
In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens and young adults, accounting for approximately 11% of deaths between the ages of 10 and 24. Only motor vehicle accidents and homicide claim more young lives. While this percentage is consistent with the majority of countries globally, there are some wide national differences – in China, suicide accounts for 4% of deaths in this age group, while in Lithuania it accounts for 23%.
Suicide rates increase dramatically between early adolescence and young adulthood. While adolescent and young adult females make more suicide attempts, males ages 10-24 have a consistently higher suicide rate due to the use of more lethal methods.
Within the expatriate community, teens are frequently under increased stress due to moves, loss of friends, and cultural differences. Parents should be aware of the risk factors for suicide and signs of depression, and should create an atmosphere in which their teens can feel comfortable talking to them.
Suicide Risk Factors
Numerous factors increase the risk of suicide among teens:
- Feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that often accompany depression
- Stressful life event or loss
- Lack of a support network, poor relationships with parents or peers, and feelings of social isolation
- A previous suicide attempt
- A family history of depression or suicide
- Physical or sexual abuse
- A psychological disorder
- Access to firearms
- Drug and alcohol use
Depression
Most teens who commit suicide have depression. Depression leads people to focus on failures and disappointments. Someone with severe depression may not be able to see that a problem can be overcome. Teens interviewed after making a suicide attempt say that they did it because they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from really bad thoughts or feelings.
Symptoms of depression in youngsters include:
- Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or crying
- Decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
- Hopelessness
- Low self-esteem and guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
- Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
- Social isolation, poor communication
- Difficulty with relationships
- Persistent boredom; low energy
- Poor concentration
- Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
- A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
- Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
- Talk of or efforts to run away from home or other rebellious behavior
- Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior
If your child or teen shows any of these signs, it is important to seek professional advice from a medical doctor or mental health professional.
How to Respond
If a child or adolescent says, “I want to kill myself,” always take the statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional. Don’t be afraid to talk to your teen directly about suicide. You will not put thoughts of suicide in your child’s head just by asking about it. Instead, asking such a question will give him or her reassurance that someone cares about how they are feeling. Ask your teen questions about issues that may be bothering them. Really listen to what they have to say. Remember that their issues, no matter how minor they may seem to you, may be overwhelming your adolescent.