Teen Suicide: Prevention, Help, And Why A Therapist Is Important
It’s hard to stomach, but according to the American Psychological Association, more than 20% of teenagers have seriously considered committing suicide. Other studies have shown that suicide rates continue to rise among teenagers throughout the country. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, that can be a staggering thing to think about.
To put a stop to teen suicide, it’s important to educate yourself on why it happens, some of the common signs to look for, and what you can do to promote prevention. Let’s take a closer look at some prevention techniques and how a therapist can help your teen work through their struggles before they decide that taking their own life is an option.
Why Do Teens Commit Suicide?
As an adult, it’s easy to assume that teenage life is idyllic. They don’t have nearly as many responsibilities, they’re young, they’re free, and they have their whole lives ahead of them to look forward to.
But, there are so many factors that contribute to teen depression and suicidal thoughts. First, consider the pressure many of today’s teens face. Young people have always had a desire to fit in, but social media has changed the landscape of those efforts. Things like cyberbullying, fear of missing out, or comparison issues can all impact a teen’s mental health.
Teens are going through a lot of changes that can contribute to depression, as well. They might feel pressure to do well in school so they can have a better future. They might be dealing with friendship or relationship issues, or struggling with problems at home.
Some teenagers are even more susceptible to mental health issues due to things like past trauma, attachment struggles, or developmental delays.
Warning Signs
Teens aren’t always known for opening up and sharing their feelings. So, it’s important to pay attention and be observant if you’re worried about your teenager’s mental well-being.
Obviously, not every teen is going to showcase glaring signs that they’re struggling. But, some of the common warning signs to look out for include withdrawal from people and things they love, taking dangerous risks, going through mood swings, or changes in their eating or sleeping habits.
You don’t have to wait for these warning signs to become extreme to take action. Stepping in early on to talk to your teen about their feelings can make a big difference and can help you get them on a healthier track when it comes to their mental well-being.
What You Can Do
Talking to your teen is just the beginning. Opening up those lines of communication and encouraging them to open up is a great way to help them start processing their emotions.
But, it’s not something you have to do on your own.
Therapy is often the best way to promote suicide prevention in teenagers. As a parent or caregiver, you obviously love your teen and want to help, but a professional third party will not only be instrumental in getting to the root cause of your teen’s mental health issues, but they will develop specific strategies to help them overcome those issues.
Therapy teaches teenagers to prioritize their mental health. It can change their perception of themselves, the present, and the future. It can help them realize that whatever might be plaguing them doesn’t define them. Most importantly, therapy can encourage your teen to take care of their mental well-being into adulthood.
The last thing you want to think about is your teenager becoming a statistic. If you’ve seen any signs of depression or you think your teen might be contemplating self-harm of any kind, don’t hesitate to contact me today to set up an appointment for teen counseling.
