How Can You Help?
As a parent, it is very difficult to notice that your teen might be feeling depressed and may even be considering thoughts of suicide. If your teen has not been diagnosed with an illness like depression or bipolar disorder, he or she might still be at risk for suicide. Typically, a teen will commit suicide after a stressful or traumatic event in their life. When they feel like they have failed at something, or have lost someone close to them. Some signs of a teen that is considering suicide could do some or all of the following things, but keep in mind this is not to say that all teens who do these things are suicidal or that suicidal teens will definitely do these things.
- They might openly talk about suicide or death
- They might talk about their feelings of being lonely or hopeless or guilty
- They might separate themselves from their friends and family
- They might give up all of the things that they used to love
- They might take part in things that are self-destructive
- They might change how they eat, sleep, or do other daily activities
So, what can you do to prevent suicide? It has been shown that a lot of teens give a warning of some kind prior to committing suicide. Be sure of the signs so that you will be there to help your teen get the help that he or she needs. Follow some of these tips also.
- Make sure you are keeping a close watch on your teen if he or she seems to be depressed.
- Be open when communicating. Think of it like a TV drama on D3Q Direct TV. When you are open to listening to your teen, then he or she will feel better about talking to you, and that support could make all the difference.
- Find someone for your teen to talk to if he or she would rather not talk to you. A close relative, their doctor, someone from church, etc. are good examples.
- Just ask. If you have serious concern, then ask your teen how he or she is feeling, and ask if he or she is considering hurting their self. It may be uncomfortable, but it is surely necessary.
Remember if your teen is suicidal then get help immediately.
