Jon Carmichael, an eighth grader died of suicide yesterday in Joshua Texas. Celebrity Marie Osmond’s eighteen year old son Michael Blosil died of suicide  last month on February 26th.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among  ages 15 – 24 and fourth for ages 10 – 14 according to the American Acadamy of Pediatrics.  The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta states that 60% of high school students have thought about committing suicide, and approximately 9% have tried killing themselves at least once.  According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), about 8 out of every 100,000 teenagers committed suicide in 2000. For every teen suicide death, experts estimate there are 10 other teen suicide attempts.

Bulling – an age old problem is one of the major causes and has garnered recent headlines. Social Media such as Facebook and twitter with use of cellphones increases the indiscriminate behavior exponentially leaving children the feeling of having no way out, no where to hide because of the brutal invasion of their privacy.  Anti-Bullying laws are being passed and many school districts are now focusing on recognition and prevention.

The Danvers Herald reported a new Teen Suicide Prevention training Program called SOS. They along with other School Districts are attempting to teach signs and symptoms of depression.

Risk factors for Teen Suicide:

• Depression or feelings of loneliness or helplessness
• Alcohol or drug addiction
  
• A family history of abuse, suicide, or violence
  
• Previous suicide attempts; almost half of teens who commit suicide had attempted suicide previously.
• A recent loss such as a death, break-up, or parents’ divorce Illness or disability
• Stress over school, relationships, performance expectations, etc.
• Fear of ridicule for getting help for problems
• Being bullied or being a bully
  
• Exposure to other teens committing suicide, such as at school or in the media
• Access to firearms or other lethal objects
• A belief that suicide is noble

Signs that a teen may be contemplating suicide:

• Talks about death and/or suicide (maybe even with a joking manner).
• Plans ways to kill him or herself.
• Expresses worries that nobody cares about him or her.
• Has attempted suicide in the past.
• Dramatic changes in personality and behavior.
• Withdraws from interacting with friends and family.
• Shows signs of depression.
• Shows signs of a substance abuse problem.
• Begins to act recklessly and engage in risk-taking behaviors.
• Begins to give away sentimental possessions.
• Spends time online interacting with people who glamorize suicide and maybe even form suicide pacts

As parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers in any capacity we must be vigilant. Take the child to the doctor at the first sign of any problems, seek counseling. Report abuse and bullying. There must be a zero tolerance of abuse and or bullying in any form at home, at school, at church or anywhere else in the community that we can influence. We need to make our world a safe and inviting environment for children.

Resources for Teenage Suicide Prevention:

Free Teen Suicide Hotline The National Suicide Prevention Directory

Youth Suicide Prevention Program Focus Adolescent Services

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

Author Jodi Piccoult wrote about this phenomenon in her novel The Pact.  A new YA novel that includes this issue as part of a subplot is Summer in Paris by Michelle Ashman Bell.