If you know someone who is struggling, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Young people are increasingly considering suicide as they transition through different phases of their lives. A recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that 10 percent of youth in grades 9-12 had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months. The reasons for suicide and attempted suicide in youth are complex, but they often revolve around where they are positioned socially and psychologically. The aftershock of suicides can also be traumatic for youth with social relationships with the deceased. The US is experiencing a rise in suicide cluster rates across various communities. It is important to know suicide prevention tips and how communities should react to suicide warning signs. This article looks at the factors that contribute to suicide rates in teenagers, what warning signs look like, and how you can prevent suicide rates in young people. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT Teen Suicide Rates Are on the Rise New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the share of high school students who considered suicidality in the past decade—2011 to 2021—has multiplied. Up from 16 percent in 2011, 22 percent of youth from the survey said they seriously thought about suicide in the past year. 18 percent had made a suicide plan against 13 percent in 2011. Too many avoidable risk factors contribute to this recent increase. And these risk factors, over the past decade, have thrived and multiplied in the environments that new technologies, social factors, and social media created. Evolving societal trends can target young people especially because they’re a vulnerable demographic and think more impulsively. These trends create rifts between youths and adults, youths and their peers, and youths and loved ones—these rifts are oftentimes responsible for why suicide warning signs can go unnoticed. How these risk factors look and how they are shaped and pushed by societal trends should be identified as it is crucial for suicide prevention in teens around you. Risk Factors Contributing to Youth Suicide Today Suicide risk factors enhance the tendencies of young people to commit suicide. These factors are usually defined by psychological and socio-cultural issues around them and can be difficult to get out of. Certain environments like school, social media, the internet, and church can magnify their impact on suicidal teens. One or more of these factors affect youths around you if you pay close attention. Mental Health Conditions Depression. Mood swings are common in young people, but major depression might be underlying if their moods are persistently low. Depressed moods can conjure thoughts that insinuate that their family will be better off in their absence. Some symptoms can include social withdrawal and isolation, loss of interest in routine activities, loss of appetite, loss of energy, and more. Anxiety disorders. In a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, 70 percent of people who had attempted suicide had an anxiety disorder. Some disorders directly linked to suicide are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorder. Young people with disorders can react adversely to situations and their reactions shape their experiences within the situation. Schizophrenia. Young people with schizophrenia can hear voices (auditory hallucinations) ordering them to commit suicide even when they do not want to. History Previous suicide attempts. The strongest determinant of completed suicides in youths is their history of attempting it. As the attempt increases, the risk of dying by suicide is higher. Most teenagers will keep trying until it’s completed. Family suicide history. A parental history of suicide behavior reportedly increases the chances of youths attempting suicide by 4-6 times. Environment Exposure to abuse. Abuse, whether physical, verbal, or sexual, takes psychological tolls on young people and increases their odds of suicide attempts 2-3 times more. Young people who experienced multiple abuse are five times more likely to commit suicide. This is according to a report from the psychologists of Manchester University. Exposure to suicide (suicide contagion). Suicides influence more suicides among young people. Exposure to suicide cases is responsible for 1 to 5 percent of teen suicides in the U.S., sometimes as a result of the Werther effect. Other times, they can attempt suicide if they witness it or are close to another young person who has done it. Access to firearms and drugs. Substance abuse can heighten depressive thoughts and anxiety disorders. It is in fact, directly linked to both. Access to firearms can also increase the rate of deaths by suicide. In the U.S., youth firearm suicide reached its highest rate in over 20 years last year. Exposure to cyberbullying. Threats from social media and the internet can be particularly overwhelming because of how many opinions can be consumed in a short while. Internet comments can be relentlessly demeaning and can create/intensify suicidal thoughts in a person. LEARN ABOUT YOUTH COUNSELING Teen Suicide Warning Signs Warning signs are manifested behaviors that show how much impact suicide risk factors are taking on young people and how ready they are to act on suicidal ideation. Understanding warning signs can increase the likelihood of them getting behavioral care and attention from health services on time. Behavior Unprovoked aggression Withdrawal from daily routine/favorite activities Persistent absent-mindedness and staring into space Reaching out to people to bid them goodbye Withdrawal from people, especially loved ones Speech Talking about: Being a burden to others Wanting to die Feeling hopeless Being hated by everyone How death is important Self-hatred and self-loathing Feelings/Moods Depression Loss of interest Anxiety Sudden calm/improvement Humiliation Suicide Prevention for Teens: Here Are 8 Things You Can Do Warning signs show the possibility of suicidality, but these suicide prevention tips can inhibit both the act and the thoughts put into it by young people. 1. Do not dismiss outbursts as teenage tantrums If your child starts to talk and act like they’re being hated, like they’re a burden to everyone or get super aggressive—it is more than likely not a teenage tantrum. They need care and intensive attention which may be offered by external help in lots of cases. 2. Let them know they’re being heard and seen Provide constant positive reaffirmations to them in a manner that feels natural and friendly—don’t make it feel awkward or performative. You want your words of endearment to sound and feel honest. Try not to overwhelm them. 3. Understand that suicide risk factors may take any form Be open-minded to every possible suicide risk factor. Do not tick out any box yet. Even when they’re not actively connected to it, hidden risk factors could influence your child’s suicidal thoughts. Always keep an eye, ear, and hand out for everything. They may need you sooner than you think. 4. Pay keen attention even when there are no signs … yet There may be no warning signs that show adverse suicidal thoughts taking shape in their minds yet, but understanding that their age comes with vulnerability and impulsivity is important. Warning signs can also be inconsistent and take course occasionally. Constant attention to the affairs of your children can help you pick the slightest hint or ward them off entirely. 5. Talk about suicide and mental health Suicide conversations are commonly thought to induce suicidal thoughts—but they don’t actually, according to research. Instead, in contrast, conversations around suicide and mental health can reduce suicidal thoughts. Your conversations can include how the brain conjures faulty thoughts and perceptions (cognitive distortions) around oneself and of people around them. It’s important to let them know that anyone, including you, can have these thoughts. Make them understand there are safety measures to ease their worries. 6. Respond with empathy and understanding Try not to sound judgemental or accusatory when you learn about your teen’s suicidal tendencies. Your responses should convey familiarity with the subject and should only be reassuring and bring comfort. Try not to talk over them or pose authoritatively over the subject. Let them know you’re giving a listening ear and can bring help. 7. Create a safety document Help them make a document of how they can find safety and occasionally record progress. This document can include: A list of warning signs indicating the possibility of a crisis approaching Data of people and places that can offer positive distractions Possible risk factors that could trigger their crisis Skills to effectively manage one’s emotions during such situations How they’re progressing so far A compilation of trusted loved ones and professionals to contact for support How to make the environment around them safe enough against potential self-harm 8. Ask for occasional hugs Hugs can reduce negative feelings and evoke contentment, happiness, and relief. They release feel-good hormones according to research and can ease depression. Occasional hugs can be crucial to your teen’s mental development against suicidality. How to find help to prevent suicide in teens If your teen is considering suicide, call 988 or chat with a professional at 988lifeline.org. This lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support including prevention and crisis resources. In the case of emergencies, call 911 or take them to a hospital or crisis center for immediate checkups. For less urgent situations, professional aid for suicide prevention in teens is safe and appropriate—this is what Rawhide provides. Our community is a safe space that offers youth counseling to help young people share their worries and fears without fear of being judged. Our highly trained and licensed therapists help youths become confident in themselves and start to create better thoughts and life choices. Help young people beat the rising suicide rates. Learn more about how we can help or book a counseling session now. Share: