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.
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.
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.
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.
Talking about:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Help them make a document of how they can find safety and occasionally record progress. This document can include:
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.
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.