Suicide Prevention – Varsity Education

Most people learn to manage stress in a healthful way. For some people, however, stress can cause alienation, feeling isolated and separated from everyone else. These people may be unable to cope with difficult life experiences. They may lack the support from family and friends, and be unable to access community resources for help. They may seek to escape from the pain and consider ending their lives.

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one’s own life. It is the third leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19. Each year, 15 percent of all teens in this age group will consider suicide. More than half of those will actually attempt it.

Suicide Risk Factors

Among those who commit suicide, two risk factors are common. More than 90 percent are suffering from depression or another mental disorder, or have a history of abusing alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes, both risk factors are present.

Some people use alcohol or other drugs to relieve their depression. Alcohol and drugs, however, have a depressant effect and lower one’s inhibitions, making self-destructive behavior more likely. These people usually have more than one risk factor, such as a stressful situation or loss, previous suicide attempts, family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, or suicide, and access to guns.

Exposure to other teens who have died by suicide is a risk factor that can lead to cluster suicides, a series of suicides occurring within a short period of time and involving several people in the same school or community. Cluster suicides result from pacts made among peers. In other cluster suicides, the teens may not know one another, but may share an environmental stressor, such as tragic event in their school or community. Some teens may learn of suicides through the news media.

Strategies to Prevent Suicide

Main Idea: Recognizing the signs of suicide may help prevent it.

Most suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and actions are expressions of extreme distress. The warning signs of suicide are described in Figure 5.7. A person displaying only a few signs may not necessarily be considering suicide. When someone talks about committing suicide-whether it’s done in a serious, casual, or even humorous way-take it seriously. Any discussion or suggestion about suicide requires immediate attention. Never agree to keep a secret if a friend says he or she is considering suicide. Tell an adult without delay.

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How You Can Help

People who are considering suicide often believe that their death will not matter to anyone. Showing empathy when talking with that person will let him or her know you are concerned. If someone you know may be considering suicide, that person needs help. Try the following:

Initiate a meaningful conversation. Show interest, compassion, patience and understanding. Don’t respond by saying, ”You really don’t want to do that,” or “Everyone feels sad sometimes.”
Show support and ask questions. Remind the person that all problems have solutions, and that suicide is not the answer. Tell your friend that most suicide survivors later express gratitude that they did not die.

• Try to persuade the person to seek help. Encourage the person to talk with a parent, counselor, or other trusted adult. Offer to go with him to get help.

If you believe a friend may be suicidal, tell an adult, and find out what steps the adult will take. If the adult doesn’t seem to believe the threat is serious, talk to other adults until someone takes action. You can also contact community resources, such as a crisis center or suicide hotline. You will learn more about community resources in Lesson 4.