Throughout Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is important to learn about suicide and any warning signs that can be seen in your child. In addition to this, you should know how to properly help your teen if the situation presents itself. In a survey conducted by Cortland County, 1 in 4 teens reported that they had seriously thought about suicide.1 This number has been steadily decreasing over the past decade, but it is still important to educate yourself on the topic in order to help your child.
There are a few risk factors that can point toward suicide ideation to keep in mind when interacting with your teen. Most teens considering or attempting suicide suffer from mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Teens who also suffer from a substance use disorder are at a higher risk. There are a few demographic groups as well that are at a higher risk for suicide attempts, such as LBGQ+, transgender, BIPOC, and females.1 If your teen falls into any one of these groups, it is important to know how to look for any warning signs in their behavior. However, it is still important to check on your child regardless of whether they belong to any high-risk group.
There are a few warning signs that you should keep in mind if you suspect your child is beginning to have thoughts about suicide:2
- Talking/ writing about suicide
- Having mood swings
- Withdrawing from social contact
- Increased substance abuse
- Changing normal routine
- Doing risky or self-destructive things
However, these warning signs may not be present in every case. In some teens, they could have no warning signs at all. This is why it is important for you to have a conversation with your teen either way and educate them on the topic.
If you suspect your teen is thinking about suicide, it is important to talk to them immediately. Listen to what they are thinking and make sure their feelings are heard. It is important that they know you are on their side, and you love them no matter what. Remind them that you are there to help them, and don’t be afraid to use the word “suicide” in your conversation. Also, be sure to seek medical help for your teen. Your primary care physician can help you find proper resources, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist that specializes in child mental health issues.2
If your child or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the local or national hotlines below. These hotlines provide free, 24/7 confidential help for those who are in distress, as well as providing resources and practices for you and your loved ones.
- Cortland County Mobile Crisis Line: (607)-756-3771
- National Suicide Hotline: (988)
References:
- Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC). Results and Analysis: The 2021 Cortland County Youth Survey. https://www.cortlandareactc.org/publications. May 17, 2022.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. What parents need to know about teen suicide. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308. August 24, 2022
