Suicide doesn’t discriminate! Some youth in the United States hurt themselves intentionally as an answer to emotional distress. Suicidal thoughts can touch people of all socioeconomic upbringings and engaging in drug or alcohol use rises a person’s odds of dying by suicide. According to Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide rates have increasing in nearly every state, according to the latest Vital Signs reported by the CDC. In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by completing suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.
Nevertheless, suicide is preventable! In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly. As a parent/caregiver, it is vital to identify signs of substance use and mental illness in your child. Here are some risk factors for teen suicide, as identified by the CDC:
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- Family history of suicide
- Cultural and religious beliefs
- Being mistreated by family
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- Isolation or being cut off from others
- Local epidemics of suicide
- Personal loss (e.g. death in the family, a serious break-up)
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Physical illness
If your child threatens suicide or mentions a desire to die, immediately call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. For more resources, please visit our resource page at carecoalitionaz.org/resources/
