Suicide risk in children and teens
GUEST BLOG - Jessica Fishbein, AboutKidsHealth
Suicide can occur in people from all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds — and teens and young adults are among the most at-risk groups for suicide. In Canada, suicide is the second leading cause of death in teenagers and young adults aged 15-24.
Suicide can be an extremely difficult topic for parents to address with their children. It is important for parents and caregivers to encourage children to openly share their thoughts and feelings, especially when a child or teen is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, AboutKidsHealth has shared signs of suicide risk in children and teens.
It is critical to be able to recognize the behavioural and emotional signs of suicide risk and respond quickly, as it is possible that talking with those who are struggling can help prevent suicide. Talking to children and teens about their emotions and stressors in their lives shows you care about them, and are there for support.
What causes suicide and suicidal thoughts?
Suicide does not stem from one cause alone. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours can result from a combination of factors, including stressful life events and mental health conditions.
Bullying, a break-up or the death of a parent are a few examples of stressful events that can lead to suicidal thoughts. These events may make a child or teen feel trapped, and that suicide is the only solution to make their problems go away. If a child has been experiencing stressful events for an extended period of time — such as relationship problems or academic difficulties — they may be embarrassed or scared to confide in others.
Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD) can also put a young person at an increased risk of suicide.
It is important for parents and caregivers to encourage children to openly share their thoughts and feelings.
While it is difficult to grasp the scope of emotional pain that leads to suicide, several behavioural and emotional signs could indicate a child or teen is having suicidal thoughts.
Children and teens at risk of suicide may show some of these behavioural signs:
• directly talk about suicide and leaving the world
• demonstrate significantly different sleeping patterns: either sleep much more or less than they typically do
• eat much more or less than normal
• not participate in activities they previously enjoyed
• engage in self-harm behaviours, including cutting, burning or hitting oneself
• avoid family members and friends; withdraw from the world and spend more time alone at home or in their room
• start or change their pattern of alcohol or drug use
• have academic difficulties. Children or teens may stop completing work on time, perform lower on tests and assignments, or demonstrate a disinterest in going to school and skip classes altogether.
Emotional signs that a child or teen is considering suicide include:
• feelings of worthlessness
• feeling hopeless about their future
• mood changes, such as irritability, rage, or severe agitation.
If your child has expressed thoughts of suicide or self-harm
If your child has shared thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important to take immediate steps to protect them. Remove or lock away objects your child could use to harm themselves, such as medications and sharp items, and contact their family doctor or paediatrician. They may advise that your child sees a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
If you find out your child has a plan in place to attempt suicide, remove objects that could be used to self-harm and call 911 or a crisis line. In Canada, children and teens in distress can contact KidsHelpPhone on KidsHelpPhone.ca or call 1-800-688-6868.
For more information on suicide, self-harm, and thousands of other paediatric topics, visit www.aboutkidshealth.ca.
