Few things are as heart-wrenching as knowing a child or teen was struggling so deeply that they felt there was no other way to ease their pain than to end their lives. Although it’s not always possible to intervene and prevent these tragedies, there are teen suicide warning signs to watch for that can help parents and teachers take action.
Understanding Teen Suicide
Teen suicide is the second leading cause of death in 14-19 year olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although teen girls attempt suicide at higher rates, teen boys are four times more likely to die by suicide.
Some teens are more at risk than others. Those who have had traumatic experiences can have more frequent suicidal ideation. Other risk factors include belonging to a minority, being bullied, having a family history of suicide, and having a substance use disorder.
Above all, teens who have mental health concerns may be most at risk. According to WHO, 15% of people around the world between the ages of 10 and 19 struggle with a mental health disorder. That’s a lot of children who may not know what options they have.
One serious factor that impacts the lives of teens around the country is bullying. According to a study that Yale University conducted, victims of bullying are between two and nine times more likely to consider suicide than those who don’t experience it.
Warning Signs
Recognizing and acting on teen suicide warning signs is essential to prevent actions that can end promising young lives and traumatize families and entire communities.
1. Emotional and Behavioral Warning Signs
Some of the most common teen suicide warning signs involve those that point to depression and hopelessness. Teens with depression can show:
- Low mood
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Expressing a sense of worthlessness
- Expressing guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to failure
- Frequent mentions of death
They may also demonstrate the need to isolate themselves from loved ones. You may notice they no longer spend time with friends. There may be radical behavioral changes, as well, like acting out or getting in trouble at school.
2. Verbal Warning Signs
A teen can also be explicit in their wish to no longer be alive. They may mention death a lot and speak about why they would want to take their life.
Some teens may not be as obvious, however. That means watching out for more subtle verbal warnings, such as expressing that they feel trapped or that they’re very unhappy. They may even mention that they feel like a burden.
3. Physical Warning Signs
Teen suicide warning signs also include some more obvious physical ones, like changes in sleeping patterns. A teen who’s experiencing depression may struggle with insomnia or, alternatively, may spend more time sleeping.
Drastic sleeping changes can also point to other serious mental health concerns, like bipolar disorder, which can come with a high risk of suicide.
You may notice weight changes as a result of appetite disturbances. Some teens struggling with depression or other mental health conditions lose all appetite, while others may eat more than usual. Eating disorders are also common in teens, and they can lead to suicidal ideation, so watching out for weight fluctuations is vital.
Another common warning sign is seeing a deterioration in the teen’s personal appearance and hygiene. They may no longer care about what they wear and might not even bother showering.
4. Risky and Reckless Behavior
Teens who are considering suicide may display more risk-taking behaviors. That can include speeding when they drive or spending time in dangerous locations.
Reckless behavior can involve the use of drugs or alcohol, too. They may be struggling with painful symptoms of mental illness or low self-esteem, which leads them to rely on substances for relief. These substances impact chemicals in the brain, making your teen feel better in the short term but worse in the long term.
Teens might engage in self-harming behaviors, such as cutting. You may notice they start to wear long-sleeved shirts even in the summer to hide marks. They can also engage in burning or skin picking. All of these are serious teen suicide warning signs.
5. Social Media and Online Behavior
In some cases, teens who are dealing with mental health concerns or suicidal ideation post alarming things on social media. They may share messages of hopelessness or of the desire to die, and they may even follow accounts that are all about suicide.
Your teen’s web browsing history can point to important clues. If they spend a lot of time searching for information on how to die by suicide or any other topic that points to distress, it’s vital to act as quickly as possible.
How to Respond
If you spot any teen suicide warning signs, you need to have a clear idea of how to respond. The first thing to remember is not to react in a knee-jerk, emotional way.
Remain calm as you discuss teen suicide with them, and acknowledge that they’re struggling. Remain nonjudgmental. Never lecture a teen on what they’re feeling, and don’t argue whether suicide is “good” or “bad.”
Stay Calm and Supportive
When discussing teen suicide, maintain a calm and compassionate demeanor. Acknowledge their feelings without minimizing their struggles. Use open-ended questions to encourage them to share, such as:
- “How have you been feeling lately?”
- “What’s been on your mind?”
Be Non-Judgmental
Avoid lecturing or imposing your opinions about their emotions or choices. Instead, listen attentively and validate their experiences by saying things like:
- “I can see that you’re going through a tough time.”
- “It sounds like you’re feeling really overwhelmed.”
Avoid Arguing or Debating
Never argue about whether suicide is “good” or “bad.” This can shut down communication and make the teen feel judged or misunderstood. Focus on understanding their perspective while emphasizing that help is available and that their feelings can change with support.
Show Empathy and Offer Hope
Express that you care about their well-being and that they are not alone. Reinforce that there are people who can and want to help them, such as mental health professionals, teachers, or trusted family members. Say things like:
- “I’m here for you, and I want to help.”
- “Let’s figure this out together.”
The key is to establish open communication. Let the teen know that they can say anything to you and that you’ll respect and listen to them. Tell them that you are on their side and you want the best for them.
Just as importantly, however, you need to know when the teen needs professional help. If they make an attempt to take their life or even take steps to try it, like purchasing a large number of sleeping pills, you must involve professionals.
Rachel’s Challenge: Helping Teens With the Right Community Support
Teens face a lot of challenges, not least of which are issues at school. Bullying is one of the most pervasive and dangerous problems that children and teens have to deal with, but there are ways of creating a healthier school environment.
At Rachel’s Challenge, we’re dedicated to helping schools and entire communities learn how to support one another. By encouraging compassion and communication, our programs provide the guidance that teachers, administrators, parents, and students themselves need to make a change.
Contact Rachel’s Challenge to book an event for your school, or donate today.
