Teen Suicides On The Rise
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Depression-N.O.S.
Our high schools are filled with depressed teenagers. Most survive it. Unfortunately, every year we lose 5000 American teens to suicide. While most suicides are met with shocked denial, in hindsight it seems that there were warning signs. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 age group, yet no one wants to think about it. One of the most prolific diagnoses in a inpatient children's unit is depression-N.O.S.( not otherwise specified). There are a couple reasons for that, one the insurance companies insist on a diagnosis before they will pay, and two, a large number of psychological disorders are accompanied by depression. Nothing is more frustrating than to lose a teen patient to suicide; most of their problems are of a temporary nature. Teens whose depression remains unrecognized and untreated may begin to contemplate suicide.
Suicide Prevention Video
Warning Signs
There are warning signs that parents and teachers may not recognize or they may believe that the teen is just being difficult or dramatic. Some of the signs include; mood swings or general irritability, overreacting to a breakup or bad grade, saying goodbye to friends and family, giving away prized possessions, crying jags, preoccupation with death, and romanticizing death. Sometimes a teen will appear to have improved and the depression seems to have lifted right before an attempt at suicide. That may be why friends and family are so shocked at the attempt. In reality, the teen is relieved that a decision has been made. If you know any teen that you believe may be contemplating suicide, immediate intervention is crucial. "Better safe than sorry" could mean the difference between life and death.
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Resources
- Preventing Teenage Suicide
NOTE: This paper was writen before grading. Read at your own risk! Suicide; just saying the word will make anyone cringe. It affects millions of people around the world each year, teenagers and adults.... - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - With Help Comes Hope
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255): Suicide hotline, 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers - Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Help
Advice for parents and teachers on how to help a depressed teenager. Learn about the signs, symptoms, effects, and treatment of teen depression. - Suicide Prevention: Understanding and Helping a Suicidal Person
Advice on suicide prevention, including how to help a suicidal person, understand suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and recognize the warning signs.
Prevention
The prevention of suicide is paramount. Warning signs must be taken seriously and teachers have an important role since teens spend much of their waking hours in school. Once a suicidal teen is identified, care must be taken not to bombard him with probing questions and accusations. Instead, gently broach the subject and let him know that he is cared for and that you are available. Do get him evaluated immediately to rule out other problems such as bipolar disorder and clinical depression. Medication is necessary for some of these disorders. Set him up with counseling and assure him that his confidentiality will not be breached. It is important to the teen that he not be singled out and made to feel "abnormal". Most suicidal teens do not want to die, they only want the pain to go away. Once you help him see that death is not an option, he should be on his way to recovery.
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That is a very good point. I have had times like that also. Thanks for your input!
Hi Janiek13, well done for doing a hub on this. Another sign of someone suffering in this way is, that the tone in people's voices change, there is a strange hollowness in their tone and speech. The sound of their voice becomes somewhat far & echoed (if that makes sense).
Suicidal depression is a huge epidemic in our society. Western life does not nurture our human spirits. What Native American Indian's wisdom tells us is that: the western way of life, smothers the fires of people's Spirit!
Nice way of putting it, sometimes people themselves smother the fires of our spirit. I used to live with a "smotherer", but I am healing nicely. Thank you for the nice comment.
Hi Janiek, lovely. So glad you were insightful enough to know that you had to set your spirit free to heal.
In my case, my children's father was a fully blown smotherer, and when we parted our ways, my Spirit was released to heal and roam free again. Free as a bird. But I tell you what Jankiek, this man tried this with our children.....then Raging Bull came to life....He has not succeeded. This individual was so hell-bent on revenge against me, that he was prepared to sacrifice our children in the process!
Human beings are capable of everything and anything! When it is a destructive force that drives an indivial the consquences can be devastating. In the context of divorce, the children are ultimately the victims.
No one was able to get through me to get to my children. Spent a decade in war to make sure of this........I wasn't about to allow the sacrifice of our innocent babies!
You have inspired me to write a hub about the perils of divorce and the devastating effect this has on children. I would like to share our story to help others 'to fight the good fight.
Keep up your good work.
Love & Light
Billie Raging Bull
What a nice compliment, thank you, Raging Bull!
I blame Al Gore and his incessant push to disparage our children. What child wouldn't be suicidal when they constantly hear that every thing they do or like to do is killing all the poor little penguins and polar bears. Many are afraid to wash their hands, brush their teeth for fear of running out of water. Many children can't sleep for fear of the future global destruction. Al Gore shoudl be indicted for Child Endangerment.
Either that or limit your child's exposure to the Al Gore's of the world. Better yet, educate them as to what is a reasonable response to current issues. Thanks for reading my hub.
That's really scary..We must find out the cause and remove that..
It is scary, but awareness is the beginning of change. There are many causes, but one thing that most suicides have in common is that the victims feel as if there is no other way out of their situation and they feel like they are alone. Reaching out to one teen can make a difference.
carol wilson 2 years ago
Another example is a person being in a room full of people and feeling alone....Laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside...I know that first hand...