Suicide among teenagers has increased dramatically in recent years and is now the third leading cause of death for fifteen-to-twenty-four-year-olds. Everyone should be aware of the fact that adolescents who may want to kill themselves express their despair and depression through their actions and words.

Risk Factors
A concerned adult or friend needs to talk to the adolescent about their concerns and refer them for professional help when the following signs are seen:

• excessive fatigue
• unusual neglect of personal appearance
• marked personality change
• changed eating and sleeping habits
• withdrawal from friends, family and regular pleasurable activities
• violent actions, rebellious or running away behavior

In discussing these changes with the adolescent it may be learned that the adolescent has:

• abused alcohol or other drugs
• persistent boredom
• declined academically
• frequent physical complaints, such as stomach or head aches
• loss in interest in pleasurable activities

A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:

• be preoccupied with death and suicide
• verbalize that he "will not have a problem much longer", "nothing matters", "it is no use", or he "will not see you again".
• complain of being "rotten inside".
• give away favorable possessions, become orderly, or throw away important belongings
• show sudden mood swings or suddenly become cheerful after a period of depression

Additional Risk Factors
When additional stress is added to a troubled teenager's life, it may be the straw that breaks the camel's back and tips him/her into a suicide attempt. Such stresses might be:

• Parental divorce or remarriage
• drug abuse
• family violence or instability
• parental death or suicide
• frequent family relocations
• environmental disaster

Children and adolescents should always be taken seriously when they say, "I want to kill myself", or "I'm going to commit suicide". These young people should be seen by a physician, preferably an adolescent psychiatrist. Asking if the teenager is depressed or if they are thinking about suicide offers the teenager assurance that somebody cares. Talking about the adolescent's depression provides an opportunity for the teenager to talk about his/her feelings and problems. Teenagers who are encouraged to deal with their problems can develop a healthier way to accept their thoughts and feelings. Support from family and friends will encourage the adolescent's acceptance of treatment.

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