Preventing Suicide in Teenagers

Do you know that in the USA for example, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers?

Today is International Youth Day.  For us at Defying Mental Illness, we want to take a look at the all important subject of suicide, and thereby save a life.

How we can help save the life of our teenagers

##1  Do not be quick to be dismissive

The teenage years can sometimes be seen as the difficult years because it a a transition time from childhood to adulthood.  However, we should not be quick to dismiss alarming issues in our teens as merely the growing pains of teenage years.  Never dismiss statements such as I am going to kill myself  as tantrums, being dramatic, or attention seeking.  Even if said in a joking way, make sure your antenna is up.

##2  Look out for warning signs

These days ignorance is no excuse.  We are living in the information age where knowledge is at our finger tips.  Educate and look out for warning signs.  If you know the teenager well enough, you may see certain things that are a bit concerning.  Watch out for behavioral changes too.

Remember that unsuccessful suicide attempts outnumber actual suicides.  If there has been an unsuccessful suicide attempt, make sure you get help for the teenager in question.  Don’t be tempted to leave it.  You need to ensure it does not happen again.

##3  Act quickly

It is very important that you assure them, and get help immediately.  If you are an adult, be the trusted adult that can do something.  Don’t be sworn into secrecy.  Do not judge.  And again don’t make dismissive statements.

##4  Never tire of the wolf cries

Even if the kid keeps crying wolf about wanting to die by suicide, do not be tempted to start ignoring their cries.  Talk to your pastor, counselor or a professional about your concerns.  There is 1  suicide for every 25 suicide attempts according to the CDC.

##5  Never think it cannot happen near you

Whether you are a celebrity, the wealthiest person on the planet, or a pastor, it is important that you still watch out and pray for your teenagers, and other kids.  Judas was with Jesus for three years but he hung himself.   Now, now, now, don’t close the browser or get me wrong.  You know we do not preach prophet of doom and gloom messages on Defying Mental Illness.

However, trials and tribulations come in varied forms to even the ‘best of people’.  As Christians, let us not be ignorant of the devices of satan.

##6  Do not stigmatize

Suicide, suicide planning and suicide attempts are very difficult subjects to talk about.  Many people do not want to be associated with a family that has had a suicide loss.  They are blamed, discriminated and stigmatized.  We need to make people feel comfortable to cry for help without feeling worthless afterwards.

##7  Every kid is our kid

Look out for other kids too, not just your own, and the kids of family and friends.  Remember every kid is our kid.  Kids are our future.  If we neglect our kids, we neglect our future.

##8  Pray

We have a responsibility to pray as Christians.  And that responsibility extends to our teenagers too, whether they are our biological / adopted kids or neither.  Instead of complaining about ‘the youths of today’, be the one that is on their knees interceding for their future.

We would be appreciative if you share this post in your social media so we create awareness about suicide in teenagers.  Lets save a life of a teenager.

About The Author

Zoe

Zoe met Eze (Chuck) in the 14th year of what turned out to be an 18 year ‘journey’ with mental illness. They got married less than a year of meeting with Zoe fully knowing Chuck had a diagnosis of mental illness. In the 18th year, Chuck defied the odds of mental illness. A consultant psychiatrist signed him off the mental health system with a bill of NO MENTAL ILLNESS. The consultant was so amazed by Chuck’s astonishing recovery that he even questioned how Chuck was diagnosed with mental illness all those years before, in the first place! Today Chuck is free from medication, its dependency and hospitalizations. Zoe’s award nominated book, DEFYING THE ODDS, chronicles the highs and ‘lows’ of this journey. Zoe, often writing from the standpoint of a caregiver, clearly understands that mental illness does not only affect an individual challenged with the disease, but also families, marriages and society as a whole.

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