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Teen depression and suicide
It happens more often than most people realize. Each year, more than 5,000 persons between the ages of 10 and 24 commit suicide. And the number is increasing. Many teenagers experience strong feelings of confusion and self doubt in the process of growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with stepparents and stepsiblings or a move to a new community can be very unsettling. Feeling isolated, anonymousOne study found that 90 percent of suicidal teens believed that their families did not understand them. The teens felt isolated and anonymous. They also believed that their efforts to communicate the feelings of unhappiness, frustration or failure were ignored or denied by parents who want their children to be successful. Some parents view depression and complaining as weakness and encourage their children to be strong and not show their emotions. Some facts about suicide
Danger signsChild and adolescent psychiatrists recommend that if one or more of these signs occur, parents should talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help if the concerns persist.
What can you do?
People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. Some people believe that if a person doesn't talks about suicide he or she won't do it. This is untrue. Talking about suicide and other concerns can provide assurance that somebody cares. It also gives the young person the chance to talk about his or her problems. Often, teens do not see suicide as final. In times of stress, a desperate young person may some how see death as a temporary escape from pain, rather than the irreversible step that it is. Many families face teen troubles including depression and the risk of suicide. Teens and their families can move through these difficult periods to a healthier path of development by finding a qualified professional to help.
Related Links Allina Behavioral Health Services: Crisis intervention Allina Behavioral Health Services: Locations Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; American Academy of Pediatrics; Medformation Audio Health Library, topic #5381; University of Minnesota Extension Service First published: 09/14/99 Reviewed by: Susan Tabor, BSN, RN, care center director, Behavioral Health Services, United Hospital
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