An article from The Cut says:

According to a new report released by the CDC, suicide rates among teens and young adults have exponentially increased over the past ten years — a 56 percent jump from 2007 to 2017. In the same period, suicide overtook homicide to become the second-most common cause of death among people ages 10 to 24, after accidents.

Ok, wow, teens are traditionally more likely to commit suicide mainly because of stress, fear, body changes, self-esteem, self-doubt, and confusion in their change in roles as they grow older.  It is a chunk.  If you remember your teenage years, they were a crazy time of transition, emotion, and having friends that were going through the same. Many teenagers look more outside than within their family for assistance, so often, parents may only be partially aware of this inner struggle. Their problems may seem too embarrassing to overcome Stanford Children’s Health. They also talk about risk factors for teen suicide.

Which teens are at risk for suicide?

A teen’s risk for suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Risk factors may change over time. They are:

• One or more mental or substance abuse problems
• Impulsive behaviors
• Undesirable life events such as being bullied or recent losses, such as the death of a parent
• Family history of mental or substance abuse problems
• Family history of suicide, family violence, including physical, sexual, or verbal or emotional abuse
• Past suicide attempt
• Gun in the home
• Imprisonment
• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as from family or peers, in the news, or in fiction stories.

Welcome to everything about life.  While I am not, nor would I ever make fun of suicide there are many challenges facing teens as well as adults. I think the biggest issue with teens is the new roles, the new hormones, the radical changes that occur in the early teen years. With that change in roles, there is a higher chance for isolation, a greater demand for conformity with peers, and honestly, it just sucks to transition to adulthood (hell, most adults don’t like it).

The decision to commit suicide is rough, and when attempted, is impulsive. In full disclosure, I have contemplated and even been close to an attempt.  I think the people around me worried that I was suddenly obsessed with knives. My actions brought a few decisions on family members’ parts and voila; I had an inpatient stay.  First, at a local civilian hospital and then I was air-evac’d to Madigan AMC at Ft. Lewis. We didn’t have joint bases back then.

I spent almost a month on psych dealing with my PTSD, as well as the depression that was created.  While not a teen and not to steal this from teens, I was blessed with the lack of impulsiveness that is displayed in teenagers.

Quite nicely, the article in The Cut does call it a public health crisis and warns us not to jump to conclusions.  I agree here, but there are some definite frequent causes, like:

Many studies have pointed to smartphones and omnipresent internet access as detrimental to teens’ mental health, for instance, but experts urge caution before jumping to conclusions. The internet has also made it easier for people to get help when they need it, allowing teenagers who might prefer texting to calling a hotline to reach mental-health services.

Still, Researchers are puzzled, as I said.  An additional study showed published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

Examined the impact of the controversial show 13 Reasons Why, and found that suicide rates among boys ages 10 to 17 rose significantly after the show’s release. No significant change among girls was observed, though, and other studies have shown that suicide rates among women and girls are also on the rise. Authors of the 13 Reasons Why study also urged readers to remember that their study did not establish causation.

The last sentence is the most important. We love to find quick blame and focus on that, and then when it turns out, it still happens we jump to another conclusion.

Bottom line? Talk to your teens, ask the questions.  Asking if someone is suicidal or homicidal will not “give them an idea,” it may be useful in opening the discussion.  No matter what, you had them, you need to raise them and find help.  I think it is far better to be a resource for both care and discipline in a child’s and even later in life.  If you genuinely cherish children, please try.

Lastly, Stanford does give some warning signs. You may know these; however, I will repeat them:

Many of the warning signs of suicide are also symptoms of depression. They are:

• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Withdrawal from friends and family members
• Acting-out behaviors and running away
• Alcohol and drug use
• Neglecting one’s appearance
• Unnecessary risk-taking
• Obsession with death and dying
• More physical complaints often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Loss of interest in school or schoolwork (more so that usual for a teen)
• Feeling bored
• Problems focusing
• Feeling he or she wants to die
• Lack of response to praise
• Another warning sign is making plans or efforts toward committing suicide:
• Says, “I want to kill myself,” or “I’m going to commit suicide.”
• Gives verbal hints, such as “I won’t be a problem much longer,” or “If anything happens to me, I want you to know ….”
• Gives away favorite things or throws away valuable belongings
• Becomes suddenly cheerful after being depressed (this is a huge sign, it is usually the sign of decision)
• May express strange thoughts
• Writes one or more suicide notes

These warning signs may seem like other health problems. Have your teen see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Make sure they see primary care as well as seek psych intervention.  Sometimes these things are hormonal or other systemic problems that present strangely.

Be an engaging parent, be a pleasant friend.  If you are a friend and someone is suicidal, don’t keep that secret.  Better to have an angry friend, than a dead one.

Remember, be the kind of person your mom and your dog hope you are.