ADOLESCENT

SUICIDE
TENDENCIES

Ani Sebastian
I B.Ed English
 SUICIDE
What is it?
Death caused by self-directed
injurious behavior with an intend to
die as a result of the behavior.

Suicide is the leading cause of

death among teenagers or
adolescents and is usually
committed out of despair and
frustration.
 Suicide behavior – It is an action intended to
harm oneself and includes suicide gestures,
suicide attempts, and completed suicide.

 Suicideattempt – Acts of self-harm that may or

may not result in death, but with an intent to die,
such as hanging or drowning

 Suicide ideation – Thoughts of suicide that range

in severity from wish to die to specific plans
ATTITUDES TOWARDS SUICIDE
There are many common misconceptions about suicide
that prevent parents from talking to teens or recognizing
just how serious of a problem suicide can be among
teens

How does the word ‘suicide’ make you feel?

Do any of these attitudes apply to you?

 Teens who fail in completing Teens who commit Suicide
Suicide weren't serious always act sad beforehand

Asking teens if they

think about Suicide
increases their risk

Teens who threaten

Suicide are just
looking for attention

Teens who commit

Suicide spend a lot of
time planning it
SUICIDE, A SERIOUS PROBLEM
 Average global suicide rate is 14.5 deaths per 100,000
people
 It is the 3rd leading cause of death for young people of
10-24 ages
 A global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or 1 death
every 40 seconds and 1 attempt every 3 seconds
 WHO ranks India amongst the top 3 countries with youth
suicides, along with the U.S and Australia
 Now youth are the group at highest risk of suicide
attempts and incidents
AGE SPECIFIC SUICIDE
RATES IN INDIA
 RISK FACTORS
Suicidal thoughts do not always lead to suicidal behaviour, but
they are a risk factor for suicidal behaviour
Risk factors:
 Death or loss of a loved one
 Mental disorders

 Hopelessness, helplessness,
guilt, worthlessness
 Neglect and violence at
home
 Alcohol or substance abuse

 Sexual abuse
 RISK FACTORS
 Humiliation by family members or friends
 Lack of social support

 Sexual orientation confusion

 Previous suicide attempts

 Disciplinary problems

 Failure at school

 Ragging and bullying at

school
 Sense of isolation

 Trouble with the law

UNDERLYING PROBLEMS
 Depression: Children or adolescents with depression
have feelings of hopelessness and helplessness to
immediate problems.
 Alcohol or drug abuse: The use of alcohol or drugs
lowers inhibitions against dangerous actions and
interferes with anticipation of consequences.
 Poor impulse control: Adolescents, may act without
thinking
 Other mental disorders and physical disorders can also
increase the risk of suicide. They include anxiety,
schizophrenia, head injury, PTSD, etc.
 WARNING SIGNS
A warning sign doesn’t automatically mean that a person
is going to attempt suicide, but it should be responded to in
a serious and thoughtful manner

Do not dismiss a threat

as a cry for attention!!!

What kinds of warning signs are a cause for concern?

SPECIFIC WARNING SIGNS
 Talking about dying
 Change in personality - Withdrawal, sad, irritable,
anxious, indecisive
 Change in Behavior - Difficulty concentrating on school,
work and other routine tasks
 Change in sleep pattern - Insomnia or oversleeping

 Change in eating habits - Loss of appetite or overeating

 Fear of losing control - Acting erratically, harming self

and others
 STAGES OF SUICIDE
Ideation

Intervention

Threatening

Attempting
 DIAGNOSIS
 Identification of risk by parents,
doctors, teachers, and friends – by
observing the change in their
behavioural patterns
 Evaluating a suicidal
child’s safety and need
for hospitalization
 Treating underlying
disorders, such as
depression or
substance abuse
PREVENTION

 Directly asking at-risk children about suicidal thoughts

 Suicide prevention lifeline, offering 24-hour assistance:
1-800-273-8255
 Getting effective care for mental, physical, and substance
use disorders
 PREVENTION
 Being able to easily access mental health services
Getting support from family and the community
 Learning ways to peacefully resolve conflict

 Limiting media access to suicide-related content

 Having cultural and religious beliefs that discourage

suicide
 Suicide prevention programs can also help
 WHAT TO DO

If a teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts:

 Don’t advise, lecture, interrogate or judge

 Be aware of your tone and expression

 Be quiet and listen

Parents should:
 Be supportive, understanding and nonjudgmental.

 Keep guns and prescription drugs away from children and

teens.
 Know the warning signs of suicide and depression.

 Talk openly with your

teen and let them know
that you recognize their
pain.
 Watch for signs of
substance use and get
help immediately if you
suspect there is a
problem.
 Address Untreated Mental Illness
 Never Ignore Suicide Threats

 Get Them the Help They Need

Friends should:
 Take signs of suicide seriously.

 Encourage your friend to talk to their doctor or a trusted

adult.
 Talk to a teacher, parent or another adult about your
friend and your concerns.
WORLD SUICIDE
PREVENTION
DAY
10 September
 TREATMENT
For every suicide cases, there are about 20 non-fatal
attempts
 Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, during which you work
with a therapist to explore why you’re feeling suicidal
and how to cope.
 Family therapy and education. Involving loved ones in
treatment can help them better understand what you're
going through, learn the warning signs, and improve
family dynamics.
 Substance use disorder treatment, if you are also
experiencing an increase in alcohol or drug use.
 TREATMENT
 Lifestyle changes, including managing stress, improving
sleep, eating, and exercise habits, building a solid
support network, and making time for hobbies and
interests.
 Medications, to treat any underlying depression causing
your suicidal ideation, like antidepressants, antipsychotic
medications, or anti-anxiety medications.
 If you start experiencing thoughts of suicide after taking
an antidepressant, call your mental health care
professional immediately. Antidepressants have been
linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY
So let us all choose to stay
And help the others to stay
Together we can all do it
Be hopeful and happy!

THANK YOU
 REFERENCES
 Elia, Josephine. "Suicidal Behaviour in Children and Adolescents -
Children's Health Issues", MSD Manual, Mar 2019,
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-
issues/mental-health-disorders-in-children-and-adolescents/suicidal-
behavior-in-c.

 Purse, Marcia. "What Is Suicidal Ideation?", Verywell Mind, March

25, 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/suicidal-ideation-380609
 
 Rudlin, Kathryn. "Understanding Suicidal Ideation in Teens",
Verywell Mind, March 26, 2020,
https://www.verywellmind.com/suicidal-ideation-defined.
 Rudlin, Kathryn. "7 Common Myths About Teen Suicide", Verywell
Mind, February 26, 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/common-
myths-about-teen-suicide-2611327.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Suicide

Prevention: Choose to Stay.” YouTube, uploaded by The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24 Sept. 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPhCJaBqh74.