Teen Suicide

June 4, 2013
8:45am

Good Morning Loves,

Teen suicide has risen significantly over the last three years from 6.3% in 2009 to 7.8%in 2011 according to New York Daily News.  "Nearly 1 in 6 high school students has seriously considered suicide, and 1 in 12 has attempted it, according to the semi-annual survey on youth risk behavior published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  "According to the survey about 20% of high-schoolers said they'd been bullied while at school, and 16% said they'd been 'cyberbullied' through email, chat, instant messaging, social media or texting."  

Teen Suicide Statistics

Thousands of teens commit suicide each year in the United States. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds.
Suicide does not just happen. Studies show that at least 90% of teens who kill themselves have some type of mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or a behavior problem. They may also have problems at school or with friends or family, or a combination of all these things. Some teens may have been victims of sexual or physical abuse. Others may be struggling with issues related to sexual identity. Usually they have had problems for some time.
Most teens do not spend a long time planning to kill themselves. They may have thought about it or tried it in the past but only decide to do it after an event that produces feelings of failure or loss, such as getting in trouble, having an argument, breaking up with a partner, or receiving a bad grade on a test.

Why do most teens kill themselves?

Most teens who kill themselves have a mood disorder (bipolar disorder or depression). A mood disorder is an illness of the brain. A mood disorder can come on suddenly or can be present on and off for most of a teen's life. A teen with a mood disorder may be in one mood for weeks or months or may flip rapidly from one feeling to another.
Teens with bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, may change between mania (angry or very happy), depression (sad or crabby), and euthymia (normal mood). Some teens have more mania, some have more depression, and some seem normal much of the time. Mania and depression can happen at the same time. This is called a mixed state.

Teens in a manic or a mixed state may:

• Strongly overreact when things do not go their way
• Become hyper, agitated, or aggressive
• Be overwhelmed with thoughts or feelings
• Sleep less
• Talk a lot more
• Act in impulsive or dangerous ways
• Feel they can do things they really can't
• Spend money they do not have or give things away
• Insist on unrealistic plans for themselves or others

Teens with depression may:

• Feel sad, down, or irritable, or not feel like doing things
• Have a change in sleeping or eating habits
• Feel guilty, worthless, or hopeless
• Have less energy, or have more difficulty paying attention
• Feel lonely, get easily upset, or talk about wanting to be dead
• Lose interest in things they used to enjoy

Disclaimer: This blog is my personal testimony and it's sole purpose is to educate, inspire and empower. If you are depressed or know anyone who is please contact a doctor immediately.