Suicide in adolescents

Suicide in adolescents
Suicide in adolescence is one of the issues that cause most concern among parents. Therefore, in this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know. Take note!

Teen suicide is one of the issues that most concern parents. No parent can be sure that his or her child has never thought about committing suicide.

Keep in mind that in any family it can happen that a young person can be in a state of suffering in which he cannot see solutions to the problem source of the anguish.

There is no doubt that adolescence is a disturbing period, since young people face the difficulties of the transition to adulthood. It is a period in life that is often confusing and leaves adolescents feeling isolated from family members or peers.

Hence, suicidal thoughts may appear and these will gain ground in the young man's life. As parents, it is important to detect that the adolescent may have these kinds of thoughts in his head.

At this point, it is necessary to find out if we are on time to seek the necessary help in order to provide maximum family or professional support.

Unfortunately, some may perceive suicide at one time or another as a permanent response to problems that persist over time. Self-doubts, confusion and pressures to succeed or settle may have a high price for troubled teens.

Signs of teen suicide

Adolescents usually emit signals that warn that they have lost hope and the desire to live. Because adolescence is a convulsive moment for those who experience it, it can be difficult to distinguish them.

Certainly, these warning signs manifest themselves primarily in behavioral changes. We talked about the loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating on the studies, neglect of the personal aspect, sadness and changes with respect to the way he usually acted.

As parents, we must give all importance to this type of behavior. What to say about previous suicide attempts. Given these signs, it is best to go in search of professional help as soon as possible.

Without any doubt, apart from professional treatment, adolescents need to understand that there are many people who care about their well-being and are willing to accompany them always. In the event that some kind of conversation about the subject occurs, it should always occur without judging your feelings.

Let him express his feelings

We must insist on the need to give the adolescent the opportunity to express their feelings. This will help have a preventive effect. Therefore, you should not hesitate to bring up the subject and ask questions that make him talk about his anguish.

Conversely, if the child does not have the confidence to speak with parents, it will be a good time to count on the help of other family members, school counselors, as well as doctors and other trusted professionals.  The goal is to help ensure that the adolescent in difficulty receives the necessary assistance.

In fact, doctors, including psychiatrists, provide personal counseling and professional treatment for the causes that cause depression.  Without a doubt, psychological counseling will help adolescents to develop the adaptive mechanisms necessary to face their problems.

Risk factors of suicide in adolescents

Among the most frequent, we can mention:

• Adolescence itself as part of the personality development process
• History or attempted suicide in the family or in the community
• Psychic disorders such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia
• Precarious social integration
• Being a victim of sexual abuse
• Bad health
• History of suicide attempts and recidivism.

The latter is the main risk factor.

Apart from the pressure inherent in an adolescent's life, specific circumstances can contribute to the adolescent's consideration of suicide. The origin of the anguish is more difficult to solve when adolescents face problems that are beyond their control or their loved ones, such as:

• Divorce
• Alcoholism in the home
• A new family formation (for example, stepparents and stepbrothers)
• Moving to a different community
• Exposure to domestic violence
• Abuse substance
• Emotional negligence

Before finishing, we remind you that suicide in adolescents is a subject that deserves all the attention. In this sense, you should be aware of any change in the behavior of your adolescent that contrasts strongly with his habitual attitude, to act immediately.

If necessary, immediately go looking for the help of as many professionals as necessary to intervene. There is no doubt that the seriousness of the matter warrants it.