Loss, Change & Grief
Adolescents and Depression
Journey of Hearts
A Healing Place in CyberSpaceTM
 
Adolescents and Depression

Suicide Incidence in the Adolescent Age Group

Currently, among the 15- to 19-year olds, suicide is the second leading cause of death (following accidents). The suicide rate has tripled over the last 30 years in this age group. Surveys estimate that 40 % of high school students have contemplated taking their lives at one point or another.

The numbers of people choosing to take their own lives is growing, and it is not limited to a single age group, racial group, or socioeconomic class.

If a young person (or anyone you know) mentions that he or she has had thoughts of suicide, the most important thing to do is TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! The evidence is overwhelming, those who talk about suicide may truly be considering it, especially in the younger age groups. Most young people who attempt suicide talk about it first.

Seek Professional advice immediately. Talk to a Counselor, a Teacher, a Priest or Minister, or a Physician. The important part is to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of depression and/or suicide and get help, or help the person exhibiting the signs to get help!

For another perspective see the article, "Listen to a Teenager It May Save a Life."


Suicide Warning Signs Signs and Symptoms
Does a young person you know seem trouble by any of these symptoms?
High Risk Times/Situations
Many young people make the decision to commit suicide following another life disaster:
High Risk Groups

More girls than boys become depressed.
More girls than boys attempt suicide, but more boys than girls are successful in their attempt to kill themselves.
Certain groups of adolescents may be more vulnerable to suicide.


Who get depressed?
This is a complex question even in the adult world, even more so with adolescents.
Life stressors can be a major contributor to depression in the young people. These stressors may be significantly different, or different factors may have more of an impact in a young person than an older one, often because the younger person lacks the years of experience to realize that things will get better in time:
Remember listen to the "Cry for Help"
If a young person mentions that he or she has thought of suicide, the most important thing to do is TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! Those who talk about suicide may truly be considering it! Listen to their "Call for Help" The important part is to recognize the warning signs and get help, or help the person exhibiting the signs to get help!

Seek Professional advice immediately. Talk to a Counselor, a Teacher, a Physician.

There have been several instances when I thought friends or colleagues were in trouble where what they were telling me sounded like a strong "Cry for Help," whether a message on an answering machine, or a letter written out of depression and sent.  On these occasions I have made several frantic phone calls to try and find them, make sure they were all right. I usually was not able to reach the person specifically, but contacted someone who was also alerted and then able to get in touch with the person. Fortunately, in each of these instances, the outcome has been a good one. Friends asked me if I thought I was over reacting. "Didn't I know they weren't going to really do themselves any harm?" I will continue to "over react" rather than possibly let a friend down.

The stakes are too high to make that kind of mistake. I have treated many overdose cases in the emergency department, and intensive care unit, pumping stomachs after a drug overdose, treating with 17 doses of Tylenol antidote, or monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias after barbiturate overdoses.  I was left wondering was their "Cry for help" noticed. Also you never know for sure what was going through that person's head. You never know that you might be the only person who hears their "Cry for Help." Perhaps the compassion, knowing that someone cares is enough to convince them that live is worth living.

Believe that life is worth living 
and your belief
will help create the fact. 
 
William James

If you are feeling like harming yourself or someone else, or are feeling depressed, helpless or hopeless, Call 911, your local suicide hot-line, or Crisis Intervention line, located in the Yellow Pages, or contact the Samaritans via e-mail at:

Call someone--a friend, or family member, your clergy or physician. Look in the Yellow pages under Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Psychiatrists, if you feel you may need immediate professional assistance.

If you or anyone you know seems to be experiencing depression, consider taking one of the quizzes on the other depression pages, Self Assessment Quiz or  Wakefield Questionnaire and contact your health care provider, counselor, clergy member or social worker and get the help you need.

Last updated October 5, 1999
 
All material, unless otherwise specified, is copyrighted 1997-9 by Journey of Hearts A Healing Place in CyberSpace. We invite you to share the information on this site with others who may benefit, but ask that you share from the heart only and not for profit.
To contact the Domain Designer email to email@kirstimd.com  To return to home page.