Is your teen thinking about dying? Most do not actually complete suicide; however, teens may certainly have very strong thoughts and feelings about it.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between 10 and 24 years of age. Thirteen (13 percent) of high school students report creating a plan for suicide. Parents need to be concerned.
Suicide ideation needs to be addressed immediately. There can be so many factors leading up to this. School peers (teen peer pressure) can be brutal without even knowing it. A teen can feel alienated from their family and friends when they are suffering from depression and low self esteem. Many times, their pain is masked and it is hard to determine what a teen is thinking or feeling.
A person can say something innocent and the teen takes it completely out of context. The feeling of rejection, either by a boyfriend/girlfriend or their own peers, can be devastating to a teen. The teen most likely lacks the self-esteem and confidence to realize that they are special and important. When this happens, the teen can experience feelings of depression which can lead to harmful thoughts.
Your teen may be the victim of bullying or cyberbullying. They may not be telling anyone for fear of more humiliation. Maybe they don’t want to get in trouble because they posted something inappropriate online? Are they a target of revenge porn? This can be a major emotional toll on a young person. We have witnessed many headlines of teens and tweens taking their life after being shamed online.
Sometimes, we have seen a family going through some very difficult times, whether it is financial or marital issues and the child actually takes on the blame and the guilt without realizing these adult problems are not related to them. The weight of family burdens on their minds can overwhelm a child with emotions so that they feel at a total loss.
If you suspect your child is suicidal, please get help immediately. They may need a residential program that offers positive peer culture and the help they need. They need to build up their character to a higher sense of self worth. Suicidal ideation is to be taken extremely seriously. As a parent, reach out for help; there are many people willing to listen and guide you.
Read: Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Help Troubled Teens.
Read: How Bullying Effects Teenage Mental Health.
###
If you’re struggling with a teen that is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you’ve exhausted your local resources and at your wit’s end, contact us to find out the benefits of residential treatment for teen help.
