Suicide is a problem in the youth and young adult population. There is hope for healing when parents and others are intentional about providing help.
The act of intentionally causing one’s own death, known as suicide, is a problem that is the second leading cause of death among 10-34 year olds. It is a tragic event that not only takes the precious life one individual but also leaves his or her friends, family members and community members grief stricken, confused and devastated. Thankfully, there is hope for healing when parents and others take intentional steps to help.
Even though it can feel like it, suicide isn’t something that just happens out of the blue. Many factors contribute to a person actually deciding to end a life. During adolescence, however, experts observe a higher level of suicidal thoughts.
Research indicates that 90 percent of teens who attempt suicide have some type of mental health issue. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are all correlated with suicidal thoughts and actions. A number of other issues may make youth and young adults more prone to suicidal thoughts. Bullying, trauma, emptiness, loneliness, rejection by peers or abuse are all issues that may contribute to self harm.
Suicide is a problem that can be contagious. If a teen hears about a suicide, he may see it as a solution to his own problems. Family members, friends or celebrities who attempt suicide can create feelings of permission in someone contemplating suicide. There is hope for healing when open communication is established and media exposure is kept to a minimum.
Entertainment and social media provide messages or perceptions about suicide that can be positive but, in many cases, are very destructive. These mediums impact emotions, leaving kids vulnerable to their influences. Teens are highly influenced by their emotions, causing them to react to tough situations before their brains can catch up and think clearly.
No single issue will cause your child to take his or her life, but there are several influences that can contribute to suicide risk. Mental health conditions and stressful life events—such as abuse or serious illness—are possible risk factors.
Having one of these risk factors doesn’t mean your child is thinking about killing himself. It does mean you should be looking for various warning signs. Some of those include anxiety, hopelessness, emptiness, withdrawal, anger and significant mood or behavior changes. Suicide is a problem that requires proactivity. Even if you don’t see red flags, there are preventative measures you can take to reduce your child’s risk.
Be the Cool House – Make your home the place where your teen and his friends hang out. That might mean you buy pizza and host a movie night. You’ll have extra messes and costs—but it’ll allow you to keep a pulse on your teen’s life. Additionally, get to know the families your children choose to hang out with.
Accountability – Establish a clear written agreement that addresses openness and transparency. In that document, state expectations of how technology, social media and text messaging will be used in your home. Actively monitor screen time so you can catch potentially troubling activities.
Communication and Connection – Have a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly date or one-on-one time with your child. Ask questions, like: What is it like to be a __-year-old in our house? Can you tell me what is going well? Is there anything that is not going well?
Make sure you’re listening, and avoid lecturing. Let them know you love them—that they’re good enough—as they continue to grow. Tell them that they can overcome difficult experiences and emotions that are a part of life. There is hope for healing when parents and their kids engage in loving, honest communication.
Healthy Minds – If your teen struggles with depression, anxiety, perfectionist tendencies or a mental illness, diligently deal with the issues. Research supports that seeing a counselor makes a significant difference in helping kids cope and manage a mental illness. Exercise, a good diet, rest, positive support and a relationship with God are all contributors to a healthy mind.
Learning Problems – Address learning disabilities, seeking professional help if necessary. These can play into how your child sees his worth and how others treat him. Help your child find her strengths.
Help Through the Fog
Have you ever been surrounded by thick fog? It can feel disorienting. Depression can feel like this. You can lose sight of the rest of reality because you can’t see it. To get through the fog:
Suicide is a problem that exists when people panic in the middle of the thick fog. Other much better options exist to escape the fog. God is in every detail of our lives, including when life gets thick with fog.
If you see warning signs of suicide in your child, talk to him. Ask him what he is thinking and feeling, and use the word suicide. Some parents fear that by using that word they will plant a seed. That’s not true. Instead, your child will get a greater sense that you care and want to protect him. A good rule of thumb is: If your teen is talking about suicide with awareness and respect, then he is safer than those who aren’t talking about it. Suicide is a problem that leads to isolation so talking can break through it.
What should you do if your child says he has been thinking about suicide? The acrostic S-L-A-P can help you evaluate the level of danger:
S = Specific plan. Is your teen considering a specific course of action for taking his own life? The more specifically someone talks about the suicide and the more details they give, the greater the risk.
L = Lethality of the plan. Is this specific plan truly deadly? If so, he’s now running a 50 percent risk.
A = Availability of plan. Can the plan be enacted? Does he have access to the means and/or materials needed to carry out his intentions? If so, he is in considerable danger: Remove the means and take immediate action.
P = Proximity of help. Are there people close enough to keep him from following through with his plan? He probably won’t try anything while friends, family or others whom he respects are around. If you can’t put a teen under family supervision, call 911 or take him directly to a local emergency room.
If your child’s risk level is low enough that suicide does not seem imminent, you still need to address the issues. You may consider having your teen evaluated by a licensed mental health professional. If medications are suggested, try to consult with a psychiatrist. Problems like clinical depression are the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Unless your child’s brain chemistry is rebalanced, his depression may not improve. Psychiatrists have a better understanding of the benefits and risks of various medications and are best be able to monitor and adjust them as needed. But remember, medication by itself is not enough support for kids struggling with a mental illness. There is hope for healing in therapy with qualified, licensed mental health professionals.
Talk about it. Start the conversation with these questions.
Be a noticer
Be a builder
Be a connector
Copyright © 2019 by Focus on the Family
Vice President, Parenting and Youth
Dr. Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical and research based principles and guidance for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith in Christ.
Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, and co-author of Focus on the Family’s Age and Stage resource, and various other resources. He is also the co-host and expert on the Focus on Parenting and the Practice Makes Parent podcasts.
For many years, he has provided families with practical, biblically-based, and research-based parenting advice on key parenting topics. He has been interviewed by various media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post and CBN, and regularly speaks on Christian radio stations and podcasts across the United States. He’s also written for various publications and is a regular speaker at retreats, conventions, family camps, online events worldwide, and on various social media channels.
Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice serving families in Colorado Springs since 2003 and has also served families as an employee of Focus on the Family since 2004.
He and his wife, Heather, love the outdoors, have been married since 1997, and love spending time with their two adult children.
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