Special Report: Teenage Suicide/Part 4- I Had No Clue; The Warning Signs

She seemed so happy yesterday. That's a common comment from the survivors of suicides.

There seems to be a sense of peace right before some young people commit the act. Remember though, depression does not magically disappear. If you know a young person who has been on the binge of it all suddenly become very happy keep a close eye on them. While we hope it's a turning point, sometimes it's that last clue we miss. With more than ninety percent of suicide deaths stemming from depression we would like to think we can see it coming and beat it off at the path. In the United States suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers beating out cancer and birth defects. In any given classroom it is safe to assume at least three students have attempted suicide. There has to be a way to curb the increase of this problem. Children need not die. There is another factor in suicide. There is recent evidence that it can be a family affair putting members at higher risk. The highest number of suicides are among young white males. Recent studies indicate that those who have attempted suicide may also have low levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Children who have daily migraines are also more prone to take their lives. Although suicide among young children is a rare event, the dramatic increase in the rate among persons aged 10-14 years underscores the urgent need for intensifying efforts to prevent suicide among persons in this age group The rate of suicides among the youngest of our children has risen 109% in recent years. This epidemic is claiming more lives everyday. As adults we have to become more aware of the signs before it's too late.

Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:

change in eating and sleeping habits

withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away

drug and alcohol use

unusual neglect of personal appearance

marked personality change

persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork

frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.

loss of interest in pleasurable activities

not tolerating praise or rewards

A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:

complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside

give verbal hints with statements such as: I won't be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, It's no use, and I won't see you again

put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc.

become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression

have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)

Nearly 60 percent of all completed suicides are committed with a firearm. Just one more reason not to have firearms in your house. When our children's futures are at risk we sometimes have to tackle hard subjects. Any parent's child can get depressed. Any parent's child can take their own life. We can't stop all suicides. Sadly, it's something that happens. We can though educate ourselves and understand that it could happen. To our children. Although with education the risk will go down. additional resources: http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Teenage_Suicide.htm http://www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/Youth2004.pdf http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Teen+Suicide§ion=Facts+for+Families last in a four part series