Teen Suicide

If your teen-ager has been depressed
you should look closely for signs that he or she might be thinking of suicide



* Has his personality changed dramatically


* Is he having trouble with a girlfriend (or, for girls, with a boyfriend)? Or is he having trouble getting along with other friends or with parents? Has he withdrawn from people he used to feel close to


* Is the quality of his schoolwork going down
Has he failed to live up to his own or someone else's standards
when it comes to school grades, for example



* Does he always seem bored, and is he having trouble concentrating



* Is he acting like a rebel in an unexplained and severe way



* Is she pregnant and finding it hard to cope with this major life change



* Has he run away from home



* Is your teen-aager abusing drugs and/or alcohol



* Is she complaining of headaches, stomachaches, etc
that may or may not be real



* Have his eating or sleeping habits changed



* Has his or her appearance changed for the worse



* Is he giving away some of his most prized possessions



* Is he writing notes or poems about death



* Does he talk about suicide, even jokingly
Has he said things such as, "That's the last straw," "I can't take it anymore
or Nobody cares about me
Threatening to kill oneself precedes four out of five suicidal deaths



* Has he tried to commit suicide before









If you suspect that your teen-ager might be thinking about suicide
do not remain silent
Suicide is preventable, but you must act quickly




* Ask your teen-ager about it. Don't be afraid to say the word suicide
Getting the word out in the open may help your teen-ager
think someone has heard his cries for help



* Reassure him that you love him. Remind him that no matter how
awful his problems seem
they can be worked out, and you are willing to help



* Ask her to talk about her feelings. Listen carefully
Do not dismiss her problems or get angry at her



* Remove all lethal weapons from your home, including guns
pills, kitchen utensils and ropes



* Seek professional help. Ask your teen-ager's pediatrician to guide you
A variety of outpatient and hospital-based treatment programs are available





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Best Wishes
NOOR