If you have been thinking about
suicide, GET HELP RIGHT AWAY,
rather than simply hoping
your mood might improve. When
a person has been feeling down for so long, it's hard to
understand that suicide isn't the answer - it's a PERMANENT
solution to a TEMPORARY problem. Talk to anyone you know as soon as you
can - a friend, a coach, a relative, a school counselor, a religious
leader, a teacher, or any trusted adult. Call your local emergency
number or check in the front pages of your phone book for the number of
a local suicide crisis line. These toll-free lines are staffed 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week by trained professionals who can help you without
ever knowing your name or seeing your face. All calls are confidential
- nothing is written down and no one you know will ever find out that
you've called. There is also a National Suicide Helpline -
1-800-SUICIDE.
Thinking about suicide does NOT mean you're crazy or there is anything
wrong with you. Some sTudies have shown that as many as 60% of
teenagers have considered suicide, and you would be amazed how many
have attempted it. Don't be afraid to talk to someone or ask for
help because you think it will mark you as weird, because it
WON'T. However, if you ignore the problem and end up killing
yourself, you WILL end up becoming just one more statistic instead of
growing into an adult who plays an integral part in the lives of others.
I thought about suicide as a teen. So did many of my
friends. My life, though, has turned out to be great, and yours
probably will, too. Remember, if you live out your life there are
so many possibilities out there, but if you kill yourself, there are no
more options after that. You won't feel better if you're dead.
You won't feel anything.
If you're being made to feel bad about yourself, and you think "if I
kill myself, all these people will feel so bad," consider another
idea. The best revenge against somoene who's harrassing you is to
rise above that and live a great life. What will make them feel
bad is knowing they can't get you down, and if they're causing you
problems because they have low self-esteem themselves, just imagine how
bad they will feel about themselves when they see you doing well.
Ending your life won't get you revenge. Living your life will.
Some teens,
because of their biochemical makeup or life experiences, are at greater
risk for suicide. Risk factors for suicide include:
- Previous
suicide attempts - Teens that have attempted suicide in the past
are much more likely than other teens to attempt suicide again in the
future. Approximately a third of teen suicide victims have made a
previous suicide attempt.
- Depression
and/or alcohol or substance abuse - Over 90% of teen suicide
victims have a mental disorder, such as depression, and/or a history of
alcohol or drug abuse.
- Family
history of mental disorders, substance abuse, or suicide - Teens
who kill themselves have often had a close family member who attempted
or committed suicide. Many of the mental illnesses, such as depression,
that contribute to suicide risk appear to have a genetic component.
- Stressful
situation or loss - Teens who kill themselves almost always have
serious problems, such as depression or substance abuse. When they
experience losses or certain stressful situations, it can trigger a
suicide attempt. Such stressful situations include: getting into
trouble at school or with the police; fighting or breaking up with a
boyfriend or a girlfriend; and fighting with friends.
- Easy
access to guns - Teens are much more likely to kill themselves when
they have access to guns. When teens shoot themselves, they most often
do so in their own homes. Teens are at a far greater risk for suicide
when there are loaded and accessible guns in their homes.
- Exposure
to other teenagers who have committed suicide - Teens are more
likely to kill themselves if they have recently read, seen, or heard
about other suicide attempts.
Other risk factors
include a history of physical and/or sexual abuse, poor communication
with parents, incarceration, and lack of access or an unwillingness to
seek mental health treatment. If someone you know has these
risk factors, and you sense them sliding downward into depression, keep
an eye on them and be there to help them out. And if YOU have
these factors, recognize that you may be more at risk for suicide and
seek help whenever you feel you need it.
If you are
worried about a friend, ask directly if he or she is
considering suicide. Ask
whether he or she has made a specific plan and has done anything to
carry it out. Listen openly to your friend, tell your friend that you
care deeply, and that no matter how overwhelming his or her problems
seem, help is available. Then, help your friend to find someone trained
to help, such as a doctor, community health center, counselor,
psychologist, social worker, youth worker, or minister. Numbers for
suicide hotlines and crisis centers should be available in your local
phone book or call 1-800-SUICIDE. If your friend has a detailed plan or
appears acutely suicidal and will not talk, he or she could be in
immediate danger and it is important to get help right away. Do not
leave your friend alone, and seek help immediately, taking your friend
to a hospital emergency room if necessary. Even if it will anger your
friend, talk with an adult you trust about your friend's situation so
that you aren't carrying the burden by yourself. Do not try to "rescue"
your friend or be a hero and try to handle the situation on your own.
You can be the most help by referring your friend to someone with the
professional skills to provide the help that he or she needs, while you
continue to offer support.
HELPFUL LINKS
Center for Mental
Health Services (CMHS)
CMHS leads federal efforts to treat mental illnesses by promoting
mental health and by preventing the development or worsening of mental
illness when possible. Available at its Web site are a number of fact
sheets and other information, including:
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)
CDC is the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of
people in the United States. Its Web site contains a number of fact
sheets and publications on relevant issues, such as:
- TIPS
4 Youth - Teens who smoke are more likely to suffer from
depression. Learn more about cigarettes and smoking.
- Suicide
in the United States - This fact sheet provides statistics on
suicide among young people, describes federal suicide prevention
efforts, and provides links to suicide prevention materials published
by CDC.
Depression and Suicide Virtual Library
This collection of information on suicide and depression was compiled
by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services,
Department of Education.
National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH)
A component of the National Institutes of Health, NIMH works to
diminish the burden of mental illness through research by better
understanding, developing treatment, and eventually, by preventing
mental illness. Available at its Web site are a number of fact sheets
and other information, including:
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is a collaborative effort
of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA). Its Web site provides information about
suicide and suicide prevention efforts, and links users to other
valuable resources. The site includes phone numbers to call if you, or
someone you know, are considering suicide.
A Teenager's
Guide to... Fitting in, Getting involved, Finding yourself
The ideas in this booklet, produced by the Family and Youth Services
Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services, can help teens learn
to deal with tough times and enjoy the good times by finding people and
places that are right for them.
Youth Mental Health Issues
This site, sponsored by the Children, Youth, and Families Education and
Research Network (CYFERNET), U.S. Department of Agriculture, contains
links to a number of publications and resources on depression and other
teen mental health issues, for youth and their families.