CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

Left untreated, depression can lead some youth to take their own lives.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-14 year olds.  Attempted suicides are even more common.  Learn the warning signs and reach out to a child in need.

Warning Signs of Suicide:

Four out of five teens that attempt suicide give clear warnings.  If you suspect that a child or adolescent is suicidal, look for these warning signs:

• Threats of suicide - either direct or indirect

• Verbal hints such as "I won't be around much longer" or "Its hopeless."

• Putting affairs in order (for example, giving or throwing away favorite possessions).

• Sudden cheerfulness after a period of depression.

• Hallucinations or bizarre thoughts.

What Should Parents, Other Adults Do if They Think a Child
is Suicidal?

• Ask the child or teen if he or she feels depressed or thinks about suicide or death.  Talking openly and honestly helps the youth to confide in you and gives you a chance to express your concern.  Listen to his or her thoughts and feelings in a caring and respectful manner.

• Let the child or teen know that you care and want to help.

• Give the youth local resources to call upon, like the Crisis Clinic Teen Link, a help line answered by specially trained teen volunteers every night from 6-10 p.m. to give young people a safe place to vent anger, express fears and anxieties, and seek comfort and support from their peers.  Volunteers are professionally supervised and help troubled teens talk through their issues and learn about options for help.  Or offer information on the Crisis Clinic 24-hour crisis line, which provides a caring voice, support and referral to treatment and community services any hour of the day or night.  Or, find out if there are any services available at the youth's school and tell him or her how to access them.

• Seek professional help.  Call on a mental health professional that has experience helping depressed children and teens for advice.

• Alert key adults in the youth's life - family, friends, teachers.  Inform the child's parents or primary caregiver, and recommend that they seek professional help for their child or teen.

• Trust your instincts.  If you think the situation may be serious, seek immediate help.  If necessary, break a confidence in order to save a life.

RESOURCES

• Teen Link:  If you're a teen and want to talk to another teen anonymously and confidentially about whatever is on your mind, call (206) 461-4922, or toll-free, at 866.TEENLINK or go to http://www.crisisclinic.org/youth.html

• Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Help Line:  Provides information, crisis intervention, referral to community help.  1-800-562-1240 or go to http://www.adhl.org/intro.html

• Crisis Clinic 24-Hour Helpline:  Any time of the day or night call 1-866-4CRISIS for a caring voice and referral to community resources and help.

• Youth Suicide Prevention Program:  Local private non-profit focused on public awareness, training and community organization and suicide prevention.  Phone:  (206) 297-5922, or go to http://www.yspp.org/

• King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division:  Call (206) 296-5213 or go to http://www.metrokc.gov/dchs/mhd

• National Mental Health Association:  http://www.nmha.org,
  or call 800-969-NMHA