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Adolescent Suicide

Suicide the third leading cause of death for adolescents. Out of every 100 attempts, 1 adolescent will succeed in committing suicide. In surveys of highschool students, 8% to 10% report having made a suicide attempt. Suicide attempts are much more frequent in girls than boys, by approximately a 4-to-1 margin.

The suicide rate for adolescents almost tripled between 1950 and 1980. It continued to rise in the 80s, although less dramatically, with the rate in 1989 equaling the all-time high. The most frequent method of completing suicide was by firearms.

The most frequent method of attempting suicide is by drug overdose. Although, in general, overdoses tend to be less deadly than other types of suicide attempts, the fact that a suicide attempt is by overdose by no means minimizes the importance of the suicide attempt and should be dealt with in a serious manner by both family and professionals.

Who Is at Risk for Completing Suicide?

There is no typical scenario for adolescent suicide. More girls attempt suicide, but more boys complete suicide.

There are other, individual characteristics, called risk factors, that are associated with an increased likelihood of suicide in adolescents and adults. For example, a previous suicide attempt increases an adolescent’s chances of eventually completing suicide. Other risk factors include a family history of suicide, problems with alcohol or other drug abuse, and access to firearms. Some adolescents may also have biochemical factors that put them at risk for suicide. These same factors also increase the risk for suicide in adults.

It is rare for an adolescent to complete suicide without having a psychological problem, although the problem is often unrecognized until after the suicide. Many adolescent suicide victims have problems with anger and a history of problem behaviors such as shoplifting, running away, fighting, and acting without thinking, often complicated by alcohol or other drug abuse. Others may be depressed, for example, because they are “loners” who don’t have friends, or because they feel as if they can never live up to the expectations of others, especially their parents.

What Causes Teenagers to Attempt Suicide?

Despite the seriousness of a suicide attempt, the “last straw” events which lead teenagers to attempt suicide are very common. They include situations such as family conflict, a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, legal problems, or school difficulties. The underlying motives for a suicide attempt are often similar to the motives of adults who attempt suicide, but motives vary from one teenager to another. Possible motives include really wanting to die, expressing anger, getting relief from a terrible state of mind, escaping a difficult situation, or being disappointed by a trusted person.

What Factors Increase Risk?

Evidence supports the idea that suicides are sometimes imitated. In particular, exposure to the death of a peer by suicide or by another violent means may increase the likelihood of subsequent suicides among young people in a community. The availability of firearms coupled with an increased use of alcohol, especially among adolescents who don’t think before they act, has been suggested as playing a role in the increased suicide rate.

Warning Signs

Adolescents who complete suicide often talk about it or give warning signals prior to the act. These signals may include:

  • Written or verbal statements about death or the desire to end one’s life;
  • Giving away personal possessions;
  • Abrupt changes in mood or behavior, such as ending longterm friendships; and
  • Signs of depression such as changes in eating and sleeping, apathy, statements about feeling hopeless, and looking very sad.

These signs don’t always mean that a teenager is thinking of suicide, but they should alert others to talk with the teenager about what is on his or her mind.
If at all concerned, parents should not be afraid to ask a teenager if he or she is thinking about suicide; talking about suicide doesn’t make teenagers do it! Showing concern and asking questions calmly is the first step when dealing with a suicidal adolescent. Asking teenagers how they feel and if they have thoughts of ending their life keeps open lines of communication and sets the stage for professional intervention. If the teen has a specific plan to act on a suicidal impulse, the risk is greater and there is a need for immediate intervention.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Suicidal Behavior?

School programs that educate adolescents about the problem of suicide and about what they can do if they or one of their friends has suicidal feelings may be helpful. Some of these programs help students improve their problem-solving skills so that they will be better able to handle stress that might lead to suicidal feelings.

Communities may also want to make sure that high-risk groups, such as adolescents seen at hospitals after a suicide attempt or adolescents with other high-risk behaviors such as conduct problems and alcohol abuse, receive high-quality help from professionals and don’t “fall between the cracks” of the mental health system.

What Kind of Individual and Family Treatment Is Helpful?

Whenever an adolescent has suicidal thoughts or makes a suicide attempt, professional help should be sought immediately to protect the adolescent from self-harm. Once the initial suicidal crisis is over, treatment with a mental health professional should continue. It often takes a number of sessions to help adolescents figure out what is happening in their lives that has led to suicidal behavior and to help them learn ways to better manage these stressors.

Behavioral techniques such as problem solving may be particularly helpful for these adolescents. Family therapy is also indicated in most cases. Helping family members to communicate better and improve their ability to resolve conflict may be particularly useful. Medicines also may be helpful in certain cases, such as with an adolescent who has a depressive disorder. Treatment must also address the underlying problems that lead to suicidal feelings and behavior. These problems might include depression, aggressive behavior, alcohol and other drug abuse, or impulsive behavior. There are a number of cognitive behavioral treatments that hold promise in addressing these difficult problem behaviors. If these underlying problems are better controlled, there is a significant reduction in suicidal feelings and behavior.

What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

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Manage your Membership information, email preferences, and more.

Journals

Membership in ABCT grants you access to three journals.

Convention

We are now accepting Abstract submissions for Continuing Education Ticketed Sessions at the 2024 ABCT Convention in Philadelphia, PA.