Teen suicide is a serious issue, with suicide being the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24. Risk factors include mental health conditions like depression, substance abuse issues, feelings of hopelessness, and family or social problems. Warning signs can include talking about death, changes in behavior or mood, and risk-taking actions. To help prevent teen suicide, it is important to be aware of the risk factors and warning signs, address any mental health issues, restrict access to lethal means, and foster social support networks and problem solving skills. Schools also play an important role through education, monitoring, and connecting at-risk youth with counseling resources.

2. Key questions
1. What is suicide
2. Teen suicide in number
3. The reasons why teen commit suicide
4. Warning signs of teen suicide
5. How to prevent teen suicide

3. What is suicide ?

4. Definition
Suicide :
(Latin suicidium, from sui caedere, "to kill oneself")
is the act of intentionally causing one's own death.
Suicide is often carried out as a result of despair,
the cause of which is frequently attributed to a
mental disorder such as depression, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality
disorder,[1] alcoholism, or drug abuse.[2] Stress
factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with
interpersonal relationships often play a role.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide

5. The Bible views suicide as equal to murder, which is what it
is—self-murder. God is the only one who is to decide when
and how a person should die.
God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away (Job 1:21).
Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it
rejects God’s gift of life. No man or woman should presume to
take God’s authority upon themselves to end his or her own
life
http://www.gotquestions.org/suicide-Bible-Christian.html#ixzz3KbRDNndf

6. Teen Suicide
According to a 2004 report distributed by the National
Institute of Mental Health, research shows that risk factors for
suicide include depression and other mental disorders, and
substance-abuse disorders (often in combination with other
mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by
suicide have these risk factors.
The risk for suicide frequently occurs in combination with
external circumstances that seem to overwhelm at-risk teens
who are unable to cope with the challenges of adolescence
because of predisposing vulnerabilities such as mental
disorders.

7. Teen Suicide
Many young people face high levels of stress
and confusion, along with family problems.
When you throw in raging hormones, it
sometimes seems more than a teen can handle.
Perhaps it's not surprising that teen suicide is
increasingly common.

8. What makes teens vulnerable to suicide?
Most teens who attempt or commit suicide have a
mental health condition or substance abuse problem.
As a result, they have trouble coping with the stress of
being a teen, such as dealing with rejection, failure,
breakups and family turmoil. They might also be unable
to see that they can turn their lives around — and that
suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary
problem.

9. Learning more about factors that might lead an
adolescent to suicide may help prevent further
tragedies. Even though it's not always preventable, it's
always a good idea to be informed and take action to
help a troubled teenager.

10. Suicide in Number

11. Teen Suicide in Number
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-
olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), after accidents and homicide. It's also
thought that at least 25 attempts are made for every completed
teen suicide.
Suicide rates differ between boys and girls. Girls think about and
attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to
attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves.
Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps
because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as
firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights

13. Some Basic Facts
1. In 1996, more teenagers and young adults died of suicide
than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke,
pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease
combined.
2. In 1996, suicide was the second-leading cause of death
among college students, the third-leading cause of death
among those aged 15 to 24 years, and the fourth- leading
cause of death among those aged 10 to 14 years.
3. From 1980 to 1996, the rate of suicide among African-
American males aged 15 to 19 years increased by 105
percent.

16. Statistic Verification
Source: Center for Disease Control
Research Date: 7.9.2014
For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Youth Suicide Statistics Data
Annual number of youth suicides each year
(ages 10-24)
4,600
Percent of youth suicides that include a firearm 45 %
Percent of youth suicides that include suffocation 40 %
Percent of youth suicides that include poisoning 8 %
Percent of students grades 9-12 who reported
seriously considering suicide
16 %
Percent who reported creating a plan 13 %
Annual number of youth (age 10-24) who receive
medical care for self-inflicted injuries
157,000
Percent of suicide deaths that are males 81 %

17. The reasons why teen commit suicide

18. Which Teens Are at Risk for Suicide?
It can be hard to remember how it felt to be a teen, caught in that gray area
between childhood and adulthood. Sure, it's a time of tremendous possibility
but it also can be a period of stress and worry. There's pressure to fit in socially,
to perform academically, and to act responsibly.
• Adolescence is also a time of sexual identity and relationships and a need
for independence that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by
others.
• Young people with mental health problems — such as anxiety, depression,
bipolar disorder, or insomnia — are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts. Teens
going through major life changes (parents' divorce, moving, a parent leaving
home due to military service or parental separation, financial changes) and
those who are victims of bullying are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts.

19. Factors that increase the risk of suicide
among teens include:
1. a psychological disorder, especially depression, bipolar
disorder, and alcohol and drug use (in fact, approximately
95% of people who die by suicide have a psychological
disorder at the time of death)
2. feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation
3. feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that often
accompany depression
4. a previous suicide attempt
5. a family history of depression or suicide
6. emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
7. lack of a support network, poor relationships with parents or
peers, and feelings of social isolation
8. dealing with bisexuality or homosexuality in an unsupportive
family or community or hostile school environment

20. Other factors that may contribute
to teen suicide include:
1. Divorce of parents.
2. Violence in the home.
3. Inability to find success at school.
4. Feelings of worthlessness.
5. Rejection by friends or peers.
6. Substance abuse.
7. Death of someone close to the teenager.
8. The suicide of a friend or someone he or she "knows"
online.

21. Warning signs of teen suicide

22. Warning Signs
There are many behavioral indicators that can help parents or
friends recognize the threat of suicide in a loved one.
symptoms associated with such disorders as depression,
bipolar disorder (manic depression), anxiety disorders, alcohol
and drug use, disruptive behavior disorders, borderline
personality disorder, and schizophrenia.

23. Berman, A., Jobes, D., & Silverman, M., (2006) Adolescent suicide: Assessment and intervention (2nd ed.)
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 456 pp.
1. Talking About Dying -- any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting
oneself, or other types of self harm
2. Recent Loss -- through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, self-
confidence, self-esteem, loss of interest in friends, hobbies, activities previously
enjoyed
3. Change in Personality -- sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive,
apathetic
4. Change in Behavior -- can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
5. Change in Sleep Patterns -- insomnia, often with early waking or oversleeping,
nightmares
6. Change in Eating Habits -- loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
7. Fear of losing control - acting erratically, harming self or others
8. Low self esteem -- feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred,
"everyone would be better off without me"
9. No hope for the future -- believing things will never get better; that nothing will
ever change
Warning Signs

24. Since mental and substance-related disorders so frequently accompany suicidal behavior, many
of the cues to be looked for are symptoms associated with such disorders as depression, bipolar
disorder (manic depression), anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use, disruptive behavior
disorders, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia.
Some common symptoms of these disorders include:
1. Extreme personality changes
2. Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
3. Significant loss or gain in appetite
4. Difficulty falling asleep or wanting to sleep all day
5. Fatigue or loss of energy
6. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
7. Withdrawal from family and friends
8. Neglect of personal appearance or hygiene
9. Sadness, irritability, or indifference
10. Having trouble concentrating
11. Extreme anxiety or panic
12. Drug or alcohol use or abuse
13. Aggressive, destructive, or defiant behavior
14. Poor school performance
15. Hallucinations or unusual beliefs

25. How to prevent teen suicide

26. Teen suicide can be prevented.
Know the risk factors, the warning signs and the steps
you can take to protect your teen.

27. Suicide protective factors
Suicide protective factors are things that reduce the potential for
suicidal behavior. They include:
1. Psychological and clinical care for physical, mental, and
substance abuse disorders.
2. Restricted or limited access to methods/means of suicide.
3. Family and community support.
4. Support from medical and health care personnel.
5. Developing problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
6. Religious and cultural belief systems that discourage suicide.

28. • Address depression or anxiety. Don't wait teen to come to you with his or her
problems. If your teen is sad, anxious or appears to be struggling — ask what's
wrong and offer your help.
• Pay attention. If teen is thinking about suicide, he or she is likely displaying some
warning signs. Listen to what teen is saying and watch how he or she is acting.
Never shrug off threats of suicide as teen melodrama.
• Share your feelings. Make sure teen realizes that everyone feels sad sometimes —
including you. Try to get him or her to see that things will get better.
• Discourage isolation. Encourage teen to spend time with friends and family —
rather than alone. If he or she says no, however, don't push.
• Encourage physical activity. Even light physical activity can help reduce depression
symptoms.
• Support the treatment plan. If teen is undergoing treatment for suicidal behavior,
remind him or her that it might take some time to feel better. Help teen follow his
or her doctor's recommendations. Also, encourage your teen to participate in fun,
low-stress activities that will help him or her rebuild confidence.
• Safely store firearms, alcohol and medications. Access to means can increase the
risk of teen suicide.
How to Help

29. How to Help
1. Since people who are contemplating suicide feel so alone and helpless,
the most important thing to do if you think a friend or loved one is suicidal
is to communicate with him or her openly and frequently.
2. Make it clear that you care; stress your willingness to listen. Also, be sure
to take all talk of suicide seriously.
3. Don’t assume that people who talk about killing themselves won’t really do
it. An estimated 80 percent of all those who commit suicide give some
warning of their intentions or mention their feelings to a friend or family
member.
4. And don’t ignore what may seem like casual threats or remarks.
Statements like "You’ll be sorry when I’m dead" and "I can’t see any way
out," no matter how off-the-cuff or jokingly said, may indicate serious
suicidal feelings

30. Watch and Listen
1. Keep a close eye on a teen who is depressed and withdrawn.
Understanding depression in teens is very important since it can look
different from commonly held beliefs about depression. For example, it
may take the form of problems with friends, grades, sleep, or being cranky
and irritable rather than chronic sadness or crying.
2. It's important to try to keep the lines of communication open and express
your concern, support, and love. If teen confides in you, show that you
take those concerns seriously. A fight with a friend might not seem like a
big deal to you in the larger scheme of things, but for a teen it can feel
immense and consuming. It's important not to minimize or discount what
teen is going through, as this can increase his or her sense of
hopelessness.
3. If teen doesn't feel comfortable talking with you, suggest a more neutral
person, such as another relative, a clergy member, a coach, a school
counselor, or your child's doctor.

31. The Role of the School in Suicide Prevention
• Children and adolescents spend a substantial part of their day in school
under the supervision of school personnel. Effective suicide and violence
prevention is integrated with supportive mental health services, engages the
entire school community, and is imbedded in a positive school climate through
student behavioral expectations and a trustful student/adult relationship.
Therefore, it is crucial for all school staff to be familiar with and watchful for risk
factors and warning signs of suicidal behavior.
• The entire school staff should work to create an environment where
students feel safe sharing such information. School psychologists and other
crisis team personnel, including the school counselor and school administrator,
are trained to intervene when a student is identified at risk for suicide. These
individuals conduct suicide risk assessment, warn/inform parents, provide
recommendations and referrals to community services, and often provide follow
up counseling and support at school.

32. References
1. Jeffrey A. Bridge, Tina R. Goldstein, and David A. Brent, Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 47:3/4 (2006), pp 372–3
2. http://www.apa.org/about/governance/president/suicidal-behavior-adolescents.pdf
3. https://www.iasp.info/suicidal_behaviour_in_adolescents.php
4. http://www.teensuicide.us/articles1.html
5. http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html
6. http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id
=135&channel_id=9&relation_id=10860
7. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-
suicide/art-20044308
8. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicideprevention.aspx