Prevention: What You Can Do

If you’ve noticed any of the signs mentioned present in your teen, don’t lose hope. There is still much you can do to help your teen. Unfortunately, simply telling your teen that life is worth living and scaring your teen about death is not enough to prevent a suicide attempt; your teen needs to know that there is someone who will listen to them and be there for them, no matter what. If your teen does not see you as that person, don’t give up hope or become hung up on why your teen isn’t comfortable coming to you. You can still help your teen by providing them with a counselor or suggestions for safe adults they can turn to in times of crisis. The most important need is the immediate need to find someone your teen can confide in. Once your teen can do this there will be plenty of time to dissect any possible flaws in your relationship with each other.

Treatment is crucial, and speaking to someone once will most likely not be enough, so you must be prepared to stick this out for the long run. Your teen will most likely need to undergo regular therapy, and may benefit greatly from medications like anti-depressants. Much has been discussed in the news lately about some teens actually feeling more inclined to commit suicide once on anti-depressants, which is why it is crucial that your teen undergo regular therapy in addition to the medication. If suicidal thoughts or feelings increase in your teen once he or she has begun treatment with anti-depressants, a doctor or psychiatrist may choose to switch to a different type of medication which effects a different area of your teens brain, or they may simply discontinue use altogether. Especially with a teen that has already contemplated or attempted suicide, close monitoring of medications by a licensed professional is of the utmost importance. If your teen insists he or she is feeling better and no longer needs medication or therapy, do not allow your teen to make this diagnosis alone. Suicidal feelings can go as quickly as they appear, and just because your teen feels better one week does not mean he or she is cured. There is no quick fix when it comes to depression. It could take years before your teen is emotionally ready to terminate treatment, and some teens will need counseling and/or medication for the rest of their lives. While these reports can be scary, consider the recent study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) which found that of all suicide victims’ studies, only 15% were undergoing treatment at the time of their death. That means 85% were receiving no care at all and dealing with suicidal feelings without any professional support system.