Can you tell if your child is at risk

Can you tell if your child is at risk? -

Teen Depression and Suicide Prevention

(a resource for parents presented by: Wake County Public Schools and North Carolina Medical Society)

To the Parents of Teenagers in the Wake County Public School System

What to do:

What not to do:

If you feel your teen may be in crisis:

Listen and express concern in a non-judgemental way
Take actions--get them connected with professional help.
Ask questions openly ("Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?", "Will you talk to someone who can help you?").
Show that you care.
Take suicide threats seriously.

Do not keep threats a secret.
Do not leave the teen alone.
Do not think this is a joke.
Do try to a therapist. Get professional help.

Ask your child to talk to you, a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, your clergy, or a family friend.

Don't wait.. time plays an important factor in saving a life. There are a number of resources available to obtain further information on depression and suicide prevention:

WEBSITE RESOURCES:

CRISIS INTERVENTION:

American Association of Suicidology - www.suicidology.org

National Suicide Hotline (24 Hours) - 1-800-SUICIDE

American Foundation of Suicide Prevention - www.afsp.org

Holly Hill Hospital (local - 24 hours) - 919-250-7000

Center for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov

Teen Education And Crisis Hotline [TEACH] (Statewide-24 hours) - 1-800-367-7287

Center for Mental Health Services - www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/ChildrensCampaign/default.asp

Teen Talkline (Local--4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) - 919-231-3626

NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) - www.nami.org

WakeMed Children's Emergency Department - 919-350-2880

National Institiute for Mental Health - www.nimh.nih.gov

Wake Co. Human Services, Crisis Assessment (local - 24 hour phone consultations and emergency services) - 919-250-3133

SPAN - USA (Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network) - www.spanusa.org

Waveline (24-hour crisis line for children) - 1-888-960-9600

For Emergency Medical Treatment: Dial 911 or go to your local hospital.

MYTHS THAT NEED TO BE DISPELLED:

MYTH: Young people who talk about suicide never attempt or complete suicide.

MYTH: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they are suicidal will encourage suicide attempts.

Talking about suicide can be a plea for help, and it can be a late sigh in the progression toward a suicide attempt. Those who are most at risk will show other signs apart from talking about suicide. If you have concerns about a young person who talks about suicide, encourage him/her to talk further and hlep them to find appropriate counseling assistance.

Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication. When a young person shares his or her fears, they are more likely to diminish. The first step is to ask whether or not the teen is intending to harm him/herself. Listen non-judgementally and, if the situation warrants, seek professional counseling. Do not take on the role of therapist yourself.

MYTH: Most suicides happen without warning.

MYTH: Most suicidal young people never seek or ask for help with their problems.

It is more likely that the intention was not recognized. Warning signs include:

Recent suicide/death of a friend or relative
Previous suicide attempts
Preoccupation with themes of death or expressing suicidal thoughts
Depression, conduct disorders, and problems such as substance abuse
Giving away prized possessions
Major changes in sleep patterns
Sudden and extreme changes in eating habits
Withdrawal from friends and family or other major behavioral changes
Dropping out of group activities
Personality changes such as nervousness, anger, frequent irritability, or unexplained crying
Lack of interest in the future.

Evidence shows that they often tell their school peers of their thoughts and plans. Adolescents are more likely to "ask" for help through nonverbal gestures than to express their situation verbally. Encourage your child to tell an adult if one of her or his peers expresses suicidal thoughts.

MYTH: Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes, and they will resent that person afterwards.

While it is common for young people to be defensive and resist help at fist, these behaviors are often used to test how much people are and are prepared to help. For most adolescents considering suicide, it is a relief to be able to share the emotional burden of their situation. When questioned some time later, the vast majority express gratitude for the interventions.

MYTH: All suicidal young people are depressed

While depression is a factor in most suicides, it need not be present for suicide to be attempted or completed. Sometimes it may be a reaction to recent events.

Recognizing the Signs...

In 2002, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher proclaimed suicide to be a preventable public health problem with opportunities to save many lives. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for persons 15-24 years of age.

Teens who suffer from depression are at a higher risk for suicide. Depression in teens can sometimes be difficult to recognize; therefore, screening for depression and suicide is especially important for this age group.

If your teen is unusually moody, anxious, anger, impulsive, withdrawn, in trouble in school or with the law, or has difficulty eating or sleeping, your child may be depressed.

Depression can be treated, so if you suspect your childe may be at risk, please seek help for your teen as soon as possible.

Risk factors for suicide

Depression, bi-polar disorder, or other mental illness

Significan loss, such as through divorce, death, loss of health

The break-up of a relationship

Pressure to succeed in school, sports, etc.

Family problems

Low self-esteem

A history of sexual, physical, or verbal abuse

Problems with peers, including bullying behavior

Family history of suicidal behavior

Someone close to the individual has committed suicide

(Information provided by Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network-NC (SPAN-NC)