Suicide Does Not Discriminate

Each day, an average of 12 young people commit suicide in the United States.

Most youth show clear signs of their intention to attempt suicide. But too often, those signs go unnoticed, or loved ones don’t know how to respond.

“It’s easy to miss the signs if you’re not completely plugged in because kids don’t usually come out and say, ‘I feel like I’m going to kill myself.’ It’s much more subtle,” says Lisa Boesky, Ph.D., child psychologist and author of “When to Worry: How to Tell if Your Teen Needs Help—and What to Do About It.” “You’ve got to be plugged into your child’s life. So that you can see the change in behavior and notice when things are not going well.”

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds, claiming the lives of 4,600 young people annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Adolescence is a period of dramatic physiological and social changes, often accompanied by family conflict, romantic breakups and school issues. The pressure to compete in the classroom and on the field can add to stress of being a teenager. But these factors alone rarely cause adolescents to take their own lives.

“About 90 percent of those who die by suicide have a mental or substance abuse disorder,” says Richard McKeon, Ph.D., chief of the Suicide Prevention Branch at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). More aggressive diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse could potentially save thousands of lives annually.

Untreated Depression Ups Suicide Risk

One of the most common mental disorders is depression. Up to 40 percent of people who have a major depressive episode have thoughts about suicide, says McKeon.

Suicidal thoughts are often a part of depression, if not treated properly, the risk of suicide increases. While depression is typically described as sadness, loss of energy and hopelessness, it can also manifest itself as irritability, aggression and acting out. If kids suddenly lose interest in sports or activities they previously enjoyed, parents should also pay attention.

“Once someone moves from having thoughts about suicide to behavior and has made a suicide attempt, then their risk becomes higher over time,” says McKeon.

No Population Is Immune from Suicide

Another major risk factor is having a friend or family member who has committed suicide. Experts have known that people exposed to suicides have a greater risk themselves.

However, a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that suicidal thoughts and behavior are especially contagious among younger teens whose peers have taken their own lives, even if they don’t personally know them.

Twelve to thirteen-year-olds who were exposed to a peer’s suicide had a five times greater risk  of thinking about suicide themselves or to report that they had attempted suicide. Research shows that the suicidal influence declines as teens age. Sixteen to 17-year olds were only two times as likely to contemplate suicide.

Students of Henry M. Gunn High School experienced the copycat effect first-hand when a cluster of suicides took place in Palo Alto. In 2009, five students killed themselves by jumping in front of a commuter train, all within an eight month period.

“[Henry Gunn] is one of the highest performing high schools, ranked in the top 100 in the country—very high IQ, Silicon Valley, two-parent families, high achieving youths,” says Boesky. “Suicide is an issue for youth of every race, age, and socio-economic background. Whether they’re struggling in school or they’re an honors student. Whether they’re smoking in the back alley or they’re getting top honors. Suicide does not discriminate.”

Angela Ambrose

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