Putting Suicide Prevention in Context

• One or two symptoms don't necessarily make a psychiatric emergency. Suicide prevention is best accomplished by consulting a mental health professional if there is any doubt.



• Not every teen who talks about dying or wanting to die is actively suicidal.



• Not every person who puts their affairs in order is suicidal.



• Not everyone who is depressed is suicidal.



• Untreated depression, possibly because of unwillingness to get treatment, along with substance abuse makes suicide prevention difficult.



• Recently widowed, unemployed, or otherwise traumatized persons are at high risk.



• Women make more suicide attempts, men succeed more often.



• Substance abuse removes inhibitions, a person who would not be suicidal if he were sober, could be if he were inebriated.



• It is always better to take a threat or note seriously, than to risk preventable adult and teen suicides.

It is so important to talk to children about tragedy before it happens to someone they love.

• Helping young people avoid or overcome emotional problems in the wake of violence or disaster is critical. This could be interpersonal violence or national disaster.
  It is, no doubt, one of the most important challenges a parent, teacher, or mental health professional can face in suicide prevention.


• Finding opportunities to educate friends and families about mental illness.



• Teaching tolerance of others' disabilities, physical and mental.



• Helping the child to establish healthy interpersonal boundaries.



• Promoting assertive, honest communication skills.

"It could be said that some suicides are the result of careful planning and are not related to depression at all.
One could also say that it can be a well-thought-out decision for practical reasons. These events may or may not involve physician-assisted deaths executed in the presence of terminal illness.

Such acts are thought to be carried out to avoid increasing disability and financial and emotional strain on family caregivers.
However, the decisions can still be traumatic for loved ones, whether they agree or disagree with the plan.

Suicide prevention must address these end-of-life dilemmas, including cost-effective hospice care and adequate pain relief.

Risk Factors:

Teen suicides are complex behaviors related to a combination of factors. Certain factors increase the risk, and others serve as protection against, suicide. Risk factors differ in importance according to ethnicity, gender and age.

There are multiple risk factors which affect the likelihood of self-induced death. Those are further addressed Chapter Eight of my book.

Personal Crisis:

Self inflicted death is generally the result of a personal crisis, which causes intense emotional stress.

Guilt, Worthlessness

Misplaced responsibility for some life circumstance, and a sense of worthlessness can work together can take away the desire to go on living.

Hopelessness and Helplessness:

The more hopeless and helpless a teen feels about the crisis, the more likely he will consider ending his life.

Substance Abuse:

Teen suicides are frequently associated with the use of alcohol or other drugs. These substances ease emotional pain temporarily and further dull the ability to make wise choices.

You can read more about the complications of failed suicide attempts in Chapter Ten. (Suicide: What to Say to Children)

Brain Chemicals:

It should be pointed out that teenage depression and teen suicides are closely linked with a lack of sufficient brain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

Medications which correct this condition can be very effective in resolution of depression.

There are risks associated with all medications, so this treatment must be closely monitored by a qualified mental health professional.

Differing Opinions:

There are differing opinions regarding adult, child and teen suicides in our society. Some believe that suicide is a 'coward's way out' of a difficult situation.

Others perceive the act to be one of self sacrifice, a courageous choice made for the benefit of others.

When one feels the world would be better off without him, suicide appears to be rational and logical..

Learn more about suicide prevention.