Adolescent Suicide

Adolescence can be a most nerve-racking experience; punctuated with a wide range of physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that assail us on a daily basis.  Frequently resulting in frustration, stress, confusion and distress. All too often with tragic consequences. This being so, suicide is now acknowledged to be a major cause of death amongst young people globally.

Indeed, one survey conducted by the Unit for Suicide Research at the University of Gent in Belgium reported that 24% of adolescents have experienced suicidal thoughts at some time or another; whilst other sources confirm that the actual figure is approximately one-in-four.

one-in-four

Whilst boys are at a far greater risk of death by suicide - girls are much more likely to have suicidal tendencies.

Growing recognition that suicide can destroy any family, has resulted in governments around the world, expressing their resolve to address youth suicide as a matter of priority.

This is great news - but what does it mean 'YOUTH SUICIDE'?

What is 'youth' suicide and how does it differ from 'ordinary' suicide? Come to think of it – what is youth?  Given that children younger than 10 are known to have committed suicide prompts the question, are children youth? 

If they are, then what is the upper age bracket for youth? It has been suggested that it could be as high as 25 - which is two and a half times the age of a ten year old 'youth'. 

Between these two very different ages we have the teenage years. Clearly the concept of youth extends from childhood to adulthood. It would seem more appropriate to use the word 'adolescent' instead of 'youth' Anyway, in an attempt to try to understand what is meant by adolescent suicide, I have been researching English language sites from around the world.

I was struck by how much patronising material (and sheer nonsense) has been written by my 'fellow adults' on the subject of youth suicide.

Comments such as  “unlike adults, youth do not have the ability to think about life and life events in terms of the broader perspective or "big picture" are all too common. Let's be honest, would you (or any 'young' person) wish to share your innermost secret, innermost pain and innermost grief to a patronising git like this?

At least one 'expert' in the field of adolescent suicidology has formulated the conclusion that: "certain adolescents are more susceptible to having suicidal tendencies than others" 

However, the bottom line will always be that regardless of whether a person who dies by suicide is 16 or 60, his or her 'suicidal act' was the direct consequence of his or her own suicidal crisis. 

It is important to stress that a suicidal crisis does not have to end tragically. Never forget that countless millions of others go through suicidal crises and live. At any given time millions of us could be going through a crisis - very few of us will die - the rest move on. The odds are very much on your side.

Not only do the overwhelming majority of us live - but many of us also rediscover and learn to enjoy and treasure a new found love of life. If you, are going through a crisis in this period - take heart. The odds are on your side.

Adolescent depression 

 Given that it appears to be universally accepted that the number one cause of suicide is depression: Then surely the number one cause of teen suicife must be teen depression. If this is so, it makes sense to be aware of adolescent / teenage warning signs of depression.

The following symptoms may indicate adolescent / teenage  depression especially if they are present for two weeks and more:  

• Poor performance in school
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Sadness and hopelessness
• Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation
• Anger and rage
• Overreaction to criticism
• Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals
• Poor self-esteem or guilt
• Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
• Restlessness and agitation
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Substance abuse
• Problems with authority
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

Adolescent suicide causes

Given that when any suicide takes place, the ‘victim’ takes the real reason for their action with them. (Suicide notes can be used to conceal the truth) Seeking answers to the question why do young people take their own lives - can never be fully answered. Having said that, the following have actually been identified as 'triggers' for youth suicide.

• Trouble at home
• Change in family dynamics (i.e. new mother or father 'substitution', new baby, older brother or sister moving out, mother or dad lost their job, eviction )
• Change of schools
• Difficulties at school
• Bullied at school
• Relationship break-up
• Social struggles
• Balancing school, work, social life, and family relationships
• Facing an environment that encourages drugs, alcohol, and sex
• The natural separation from parents
• Dating
• Learning to accept themselves with or without talents and abilities
• Getting good grades for college/university
• Getting a part-time job
• Choosing a college/university 
• Choosing a career

Warning signs

The ‘warning signs’ for teenage suicide are said to include the following…

•  Direct and indirect suicide threats and an obsession with
  stories, poems and artwork that involves death and dying.
• There can be an obvious and dramatic change in behavior appearance and personality that can appear irrational and bizarre.
• The most common ‘signs’ involve changed eating and sleeping patterns coupled with an inexplicable loss of application in school or college.
• Typically, potential suicides (teen or otherwise) end relationships and give away once-valued possessions.
• Increasing difficulty in communicating with others leads to isolation, which is evidenced by lengthy and brooding silences.