Fact No. 10 (11/95) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
		TEENSUICIDE Suicides among young people nationwide have increased dramatically in recent years. Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 - to - 24 years olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 - to - 14 year olds. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step- parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. In some cases, suicide appears to be a "solution." Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves. Child and adolescent psychiatrists recommend that if one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. Change in eating and sleeping habits. Withdrawal from friends, and family and regular activities. Violent actions, rebellious behavior or running away. Drug and alcohol use. Unusual neglect of personal appearance. Marked personality change. Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork. Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities. Not tolerating praise or rewards. A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also: Complain of being "rotten inside." Give verbal hints with statements such as: "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no use," "I won't see you again." Put his or her affairs in order--for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc. Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression. If a child or adolescent says, "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit suicide", always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician. People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Rather than "putting thoughts in the child's head," such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development.   Free distribution of single Facts sheets is a public service made possible by the Academy Endowment Fund. This fund supports educational programs and materials designed to educate parents, families, teachers, caregivers, and others about the mental illnesses affecting nearly 12.5 million children and adolescents in an effort to de-stigmatize these illnesses, promote early identification and treatment, and encourage funding for scientifically based research. Please make a tax deductible contribution to the Academy Endowment Fund and support this public outreach. (AACAP Endowment Fund - FFF, P.O. Box 96106, Washington, D.C. 20090) Facts for Families © is developed and distributed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Facts sheets may be reproduced for personal or educational use without written permission, but cannot be included in material presented for sale or profit. A complete set of over 60 Facts sheets covering issues facing children and adolescents is available for $18.00 ($15.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling). Please make checks payable to:  AACAP, and send requests to Public Information, P.O. Box 96106, Washington, D.C. 20090-6106. Copyright © 1997 by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.