Suicide
How common
is suicide in children and teens?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reported
that in 2014, suicide was the second leading cause of death for young
people ages 10-24. Although these numbers may make suicide seem common,
it is still a rare event. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are more
common than suicide deaths and are signs of extreme
distress. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not harmless bids for
attention and should not be ignored.
What are
some of the risks factors for suicide?
Risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group and may
change over time. Some factors that increase an individual's risk for
suicidal thoughts and behaviors are:
- Depression, anxiety, and
other mental disorders
- Substance abuse disorder
- Chronic pain
- Prior suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including
physical or sexual abuse
- Firearms in the home
- Having recently been
released from jail or prison
- Exposure to suicidal
behavior of others, such as family members or peers
It is important to note that many people who
have these risk factors are not suicidal.
What are
the warning signs?
The following are some of the signs you might notice in
yourself or a friend that may be reason for concern:
- Talking about wanting to
die or wanting to kill oneself
- Making a plan or looking
for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online
- Buying a gun, or
stockpiling pills
- Feeling empty, hopeless,
or feeling like there is no reason to live
- Feeling trapped or in
unbearable pain
- Talking about being a
burden to others
- Increasing the use of
alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or
agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too
much
- Withdrawing from family or
friends or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking
about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood
swings
- Saying good-bye to loved
ones, putting affairs in order
Seeking help is a sign of strength; if you are
concerned, go with your instincts and seek professional help.
Reaching out to a friend you are concerned about
is also a sign of strength.
What can I
do for myself or someone else?
Immediate action is very important. Here are a few resources:
- National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline :
1-800-273-TALK (8255), confidential
help 24-hours-a-day. You can also visit the Lifeline's website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Veterans Crisis Line : 1-800-273-8255,
press 1
- Crisis Text Line : text START
to 741-741
- HealthReach , information available
in multiple languages:
www.healthreach.nlm.nih.gov/searchindex/Suicide
- Help for Mental Illnesses:
National Institute of Mental Health web page www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp
- Treatment
Referral Routing Service: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), funded
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
What if
someone seems suicidal on social media?
Many social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, Tumblr, and Google+, have ways to report suicidal content and
get help for the content creator. Each social media site has a
different procedure, so search the site's help page for assistance.
What if I
want to write a story about suicide?
Great idea! Here are suggestions for reporting on suicide: http://reportingonsuicide.org/ .
Where can
I go for more information on suicide prevention?
You can:
- Visit the NIMH website:
www.nimh.nih.gov and search "suicide"
- Visit the National Library
of Medicine's MedlinePlus,
- English:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
- En Espanol:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish
- Find information on
clinical trials at the National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials
database: www.ClinicalTrials.gov/
-NIH