Today is a sad day :( A young girl at my daughters school committed suicide... What does it mean when a child or teen is suicidal? A child or teenager who is feeling suicidal is considering taking, or planning to take, his own life. In many cases, young people who consider or attempt suicide do not really want to die: Instead, they want to escape their problems, but can’t see a way out or imagine things getting better. Often, a suicide attempt is a “cry for help” from a child who doesn’t know where to turn. How common is youth suicide? Suicide is: the third-leading cause of death in 15- to 24-year-olds nationwide the fourth-leading cause of death in 10- to 14-year-olds contemplated by up to 25 percent of children and adolescents at some point in their lives attempted 100 times for every completion.. While any child or adolescent can develop suicidal thoughts or behavior, suicide is an especially significant risk for young people who are facing: Depression, substance abuse, or problems with disruptive or aggressive behaviors. Any of the following behaviors should be construed as an urgent warning sign that your child may be actively planning a suicide attempt: saying things like, “I want to kill myself,” “I want to die” or “I just want to disappear/sleep forever” making threats or statements like, “Don’t worry, I won’t be a problem much longer” or “If anything happens to me, I just want you to know…” giving away or discarding favorite possessions writing a will writing a suicide note writing or expressing apologies to loved ones for “all the things I’ve done” or “all the trouble I’ve caused” obtaining, or attempting to obtain, a firearm, knife or rope obtaining, or attempting to obtain, large quantities of medication becoming suddenly cheerful or tranquil after an extended period of depression (this may indicate that the child has made a final plan to commit suicide, and so feels “at peace”) Always treat any sign, suggestion or threat of suicide as a genuine cry for help. It’s essential to seek immediate professional help for your child—do not wait, even if your child tries to claim she is “better” or “didn’t mean it.” If you believe your child may be contemplating suicide, you should call 911 right away...
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:11:22 +0000
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