Why Suicides Among Children and Adolescents Growing?

According to Mental Health Association of Westchester County, suicide is the third leading cause of death among people in the age group of 15-24 years and sixth among the 5-14 year-olds.

Statistics from 1997 show that suicide claimed more lives of kids than even cancerdefine or AIDS. What can be the factors that drive so small and innocent minds to suicide? Themedguru does a little investigation into this disturbing reality.

The suicide rate is higher among Native Americans, African American males and is shockingly rampant among children under 14 years of age.

The Surgeon General states that in United States of America, every two hours a youth commits suicide.We as a society need to have proper understanding of the problem to reduce and finally stop this phenomenon?

What Makes Them Think of Suicide?

Adolescents with suicidal thoughts are generally divided into two groups. One group consists of individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa or are severely depressed. These individuals generally plan long to ultimately execute their suicidal thoughts. The other group consists of individuals who are more impulsive and might attempt a suicide unexpectedly.

As MD Carol Watkins says, suicidal thought or behaviour is normally the end result of various familial, social and psychological factors. There are more suicidal attempts than actual suicides. However, it has often been seen that a person who shows suicidal thought or has attempted suicide, is more likely to commit suicide at a later stage. With the shaky family bonds in our modern society, childhood depressiondefine is very common. Also, the access to firearms is not a big deal anymore.

Depression may be one of the leading factors behind suicides. However, it may not be the sole factor. Anxiety, stress, substance abuse can all lead to suicide. Withdrawn and shy children are more prone to suicidal thoughts than others. As a child, any problem seems Herculean, and if there is no adult to discuss the problem with, suicide might seem the only solution available. The thought might also come because of a relative or a friend who has recently committed suicide. If the child is impulsive, suicide can seem a very natural response to stress or anxiety.

How Do We Know When a Child is Contemplating Suicide?

A child when thinking of suicide may give some signs that should be taken up immediately and discussed with them. Some of the signs below may help you identify suicidal thoughts in your child:

• The child speaks of suicide again and again. Threats or just repeat the word
• Express a wish to die
• Often Self-harms or take an overdose of any medicine
• Gets over a depression a bit too quickly and suddenly seems cheerful
• Willingly distributes favourite things to friends and family
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Has difficulty in sleeping, and
• Lack of interest in regular activities

What Could Help?

Contemplating suicide would be the extreme action for anyone to get rid of problems. Normally a child would try to reach out trustable people before taking any ultimate action. Parents, teachers and other adults they trust should be attentive of what they are saying. A lot of care, help and support are needed. Sometimes a child will confide in their friend and swear them to secrecy. In that case, the confidant would become secretive. Try to gain their confidence and let them speak to you.

Talking helps… When something is discussed openly, the chances of impulsive attempt of anything negative are reduced. If the parents or teachers still feel that talking has not proved enough, professional help must be sought.

Make a note of all the suicide/crisis hotlines so that in case of an emergency, help can be accessed immediately.