Suicide Prevention
Suicide and other self-destructive behaviors are related to the violence occurring around our children. Music, art, movies, books, TV, newspapers, magazines, and video games influence the thinking and actions of our children. Reality and fantasy are often difficult concepts to understand. Cause and effect situations require problem solving skills and strategies that need to be developed in our children in order for them to become loving, caring, and nurturing parents themselves.
From the Suicide Prevention Resource Center in Washington, D.C. is a list of warning signs that a young person may be considering suicide: (http://www.sprc.org)
- A suddenly deteriorating academic performance. Teens who were typically conscientious about their school work and who are now neglecting assignments, cutting classes, or missing school altogether may be experiencing problems that can affect their academic success, behavior, and health and put them at risk of suicide.
- Self-mutilation. Some young people resort to cutting their arms or legs with razor blades and other sharp objects to cope with emotional pain. Self-mutilation of this type is an unmistakable sign that something is wrong.
- A fixation with death or violence. Teens may express this fixation through poetry, essays, doodling, or other artwork. They may be preoccupied with violent movies, video games, music, or be fascinated with weapons.
- Unhealthy peer relationships. Young people whose circle of friends dramatically changes for no apparent reason; who don’t have any friends; or who begin associating with other young people know for substance abuse or other risk behaviors may signal a change in their emotional lives. Their destructive behaviors may discourage more stable friends from associating with them or they themselves may reject former friends who “don’t understand them any more.”
- Volatile mood swings or a sudden change in personality. Children who become sullen, silent, and withdrawn, or angry and acting out, may have problems that can lead to suicide.
- Indications that the child is in an unhealthy, destructive or abusive relationship. This can include abusive relationships with peers, or family members. Signs of an abusive relationship include unexplained bruises, a swollen face, or other injuries, particularly if the child refuses to discuss them.
- Risk taking behaviors. Risk-taking behaviors often co-occur and are symptomatic of underlying emotional or social problems. Such behaviors are unprotected or promiscuous sex, alcohol or other drug use, driving recklessly or without a license, petty theft or vandalism, especially by young people who formerly did not engage in these activities, can be an indication that something is wrong.
- Signs of an eating disorder. An eating disorder is an unmistakable sign that a child needs help. A dramatic change in weight that is not associated with a medically supervised diet may also indicate that something is wrong.
- Difficulty in adjusting to gender identity. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children have a higher suicide attempt rate than their heterosexual peers. While coming to terms with gender identity can be challenging for many young people, gay and lesbian youth face social pressures that can make this adjustment especially difficult.
- Bullying. Children and adolescents who are bullied, as well as those who bully, are at increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation (Kaltialla-Heino, Rimpela, Marttunen, and Rantanen, 1999)
- Depression. Although most people who are clinically depressed do not attempt suicide, depression significantly increases the risk of suicide or suicide attempts. Symptoms of depression include:
*a sudden worsening in academic performance
*withdrawal from friends and extracurricular activities
*expressions of sadness and hopelessness
*expressions of anger and rage
*a sudden decline in enthusiasm and energy
*overreaction to criticism
*lowered self-esteem, or feelings of guilt
*indecision, lack of concentration, and forgetfulness
*restlessness and agitation
*changes in eating or sleeping patterns
*unprovoked episodes or crying
*fatigue
*abuse of alcohol or other drugs as children try to “self- medicate” their emotional pain
Some warning signs of suicide demand immediate action. Here are these signs:
- Talking or writing about suicide or death
- Giving verbal cues, such as “I wish I were dead” and “I’m going to end it all”
- Giving less verbal cues such as “You will be better off without me” and “who cares if I’m dead anyway?”
- Isolating himself / herself from friends and family
- Expressing the belief that life is meaningless
- Giving away prized possessions
- Exhibiting a sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
- Neglecting his or her appearance and hygiene
- Dropping out of school or social, athletic, and / or community activities
- Obtaining a weapon---firearm, knife, or other means of hurting himself / herself including prescription medications
As a parent, what can we do?
Ask the tough questions. Ask what is going on. Are you involved with drugs? Why aren’t you friends with ______ anymore? Tell me why you are not doing your school work and missing classes. I noticed that you are not eating with us at dinnertime----what can I make that you will really like? I see you playing____________ all the time, let’s go for a bike ride to the park. And, don’t be afraid to ask your child if they have considered suicide or other self-destructive acts. Often just asking someone about “what is going on” will open the door to discussion with your child. Your concern can counter your child’s sense of hopelessness and helplessness.
Listed below are the top 10 counties in Wisconsin with the highest rate of suicide deaths for 1999-2005, for people 19 years old and under, with number 1 being the highest rate: (from http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov website)
1. Door
2. Marinette
3. Lincoln
4. Grant
5. Columbia
6. Monroe
7. Fond Du Lac
8. Jefferson
9. Waupaca
10. Portage
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