Teen Suicide Prevention: 16 signs and prevention tips from the experts
Don't ignore warning signs. Know when your child is feeling suicidal and here is how you can get help for them.
The South African Society of Psychiatrists states that almost one in ten teenage deaths in South Africa every year is the result of suicide. It adds that up to 20% of high school learners have tried to take their own lives. These stats are alarming.
Teens deal with a lot of issues, especially peer pressure. Some are exposed to bullying and this can cause them to suffer mental health problems.
The reasons for feeling suicidal can vary. However, the first step in preventing your child from becoming a statistic is to know the signs of suicide.
READ: Dealing with suicide – expert advice
Below, SADAG highlights some of the most common signs that someone is feeling suicidal:
- Loss of interest in things you like to do
- Sadness that won’t go away
- Irritability or feeling angry a lot.
- Feeling guilty or hopeless
- Not enjoying things you once liked
- Feeling tense or worrying a lot
- Crying a lot
- Spending a lot of time alone
- Eating too much or too little
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Having low energy or restless feelings
- Feeling tired a lot
- Missing school a lot
- Hard time making decisions
- Having trouble thinking or paying attention
- Thinking of dying or killing yourself.
READ: Dr offers advice on how to prevent your loved ones from committing suicide
Prevention tips
Dr Scheepers, a psychiatrist based in Cape Town, gives the following guide to help someone who is feeling suicidal:
“If the suicidal person confides in you, listen attentively and tell them you want to help them," says the expert.
"Offer them advice about whom to go to, emphasising that professional help is both available and necessary."
Dr P Mothapo, a Clinical Psychologist at Life Carstenview, says it is paramount that you advise your teen to seek professional help.
"It is of paramount importance to provide support to suicidal individuals. Reaching out and exploring their emotional state would assist in instilling hope, i.e asking about how they feel without judgement," says Dr Mothapo.
She adds that you should remove any health hazards.
"Make sure that the individual is in a safe place; remove potentially harmful objects and medication," she says.
Lastly, she adds that you should advise your child to get professional help.
"As soon as possible, get professional help for the individual (psychologist and social workers), i.e. accompany the person to healthcare institutions (local clinic, health centre or hospital) or call the Depression and Anxiety Helpline (0800 70 80 90)."
You can also call:
http://lifelinesa.co.za/
on (0861) 322 322. It is a 24-hour crisis intervention service.Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline on (0800) 70 80 90.
READ: Teenage Suicide Prevention Week: Expert advice on how to help a teen who is suicidal
Image courtesy of iStock/ Voyagerix