At what age are suicidal thoughts simply thoughts?

When do these become actions, planning those thoughts into self-harming behaviors that could lead to death?

The validity and relevance on the topic of teens with suicidal thoughts is based on the high-ranking numbers of teen suicide, which has been reported as the third leading cause of death for youth, ages 15-24 years old.

Teen suicide is difficult to predict and understand as a parent or caretaker. Even mental health professionals, such as myself, struggle with comprehending the mindset of adolescents, their lack of rationality, and their influential peer pressures. Causes of teens with suicidal thoughts include, but are not limited to a combination of external circumstances, predisposed mental disorders, stressors involving disciplinary problems, as well as interpersonal losses. These losses specifically address issues with identifying oneself as a failure, experiences of rejection, and unsuccessful romantic relationships. Most teens also face struggles with violence in their families, and determining their own sexual orientation, as well as physical or sexual abuse from perpetrators who are most likely close to them or even another family member. If your child has been attending school or is currently attending school now, he or she has mostly been a victim of bullying at some point of their life either on the school campus or through cyberspace. Now with social media, sharing information or pictures is only a click away on their iPhones. This adolescent stage of your child’s life is not even close to comparable to our previous generations. Females as young as 11 years old are now being expected to pose nude for photos on Snapchat, Instagram, and even privately text their male peers. Vulnerable young females begin to think that in order to keep up with their female friends, “sexting” is expected form them and normal behavior in their age group. Female also have the ability to hide hopelessness more effectively from their parents then males. If teens know that they might get sent to counseling or even hospitalized, they can place a façade around their family.

Next, I will discuss the self-harm behavioral issues most witnessed in our culture known as “cutting.” Some teens report cutting to feel better, to take away the emotional pain and replace it with physical pain that is easier to face. Some teens fully admit that their hope is to gain attention from their peers, specifically a boyfriend or girlfriend who is not providing them attention. Other teens actually intend to kill themselves and end their life because they feel that is the only option they have and feel a lack of purpose in their lives. The big question is, how can we predict the difference? The answer is: we cannot predict their true intentions, and even if they do not plan to kill themselves, cutting or any other forms of self-mutilation can extend too far and end someone’s life instantly.

The good news is that treatment is available! Individual psychotherapy is utilized most often when dealing with teens with suicidal thoughts. In my office, this level of treatment would focus on helping your child work through their suicidal thoughts in a safe, comfortable environment. Psychotherapy used to increase emotional regulation with self-awareness, productive coping mechanisms, and provide tools to manage overwhelming feelings. Another level of treatment is known as family therapy that will assist your family to learn coping skills to face the problem and work together for resolution. The most intensive and highest level of treatment is hospitalization, which unfortunately must be used in severe cases to provide a secure and constantly supervised environment to maintain your child’s safety during their time of crisis.

What parents can do to help their teen?

Parents, guardians, and caregivers must take every suicidal thought seriously. Too often I have personally witnessed a teenager crying out for help by expressing their suicidal ideation verbally, and when they do not receive the intervention they need, teens will resort to extreme measures that can lead to permanent damage of themselves and those around them. On the other hand, any person who is emotionally supporting a teenager should do not over react, they should be supportive and listen to the feelings that is being expressed. Safety should be maintained at all times. Try asking specific questions about the suicidal thoughts. For example, are you thinking about harming yourself? Do you have access to weapons? Additionally, take an inventory of who he or she is hanging out with and determine whether or not that peer group is providing influential decisions are that good or bad.

Medications are not necessary. In my opinion, do not immediately jump into giving antidepressants to a teenager. First, try psychotherapeutic approaches and then if the depressive symptoms are not decreasing, then you can consider psychotropic. However, do your research about the side-effects with some withdrawal precautions for that age group because some doctors either will not share that information or they might not be aware of all the risks. Lastly, get a second opinion because it never hurts to receive multiple perspectives before making such a huge decision that will significantly impact your child’s mental health.

For more information about suicidal ideation visit the resources tab as well as locate support groups in your area. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255) is also available 24 hours seven days a week and all calls are maintained confidential when contacting them.

For Immediate Help with Teens with Suicidal Thoughts call (760) 458-1600 or Book an Appointment TODAY for a Complimentary Session.