Troubled Teens and Suicide Prevention

Rohit Mehta was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 16. Medication and psychotherapy brought his condition under control for a brief period. However, as a high school senior, he became obsessed with thoughts of taking his own life.

"I thought about death or suicide 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Rohit recalls. "No matter what I was doing, whether I was at home, playing basketball or in science class." He confided his feelings to his parents, who had him hospitalized.

Now 24, Mehta is a youth spokesperson for a non-profit group trying to educate parents and young people about the growing problem of depression and suicide among teen-agers and young adults. Every year, tens of thousands of teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 commit suicide. It is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, and the sixth-leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds, according to statistics compiled by the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign (NMHAC).

Suicide accounts for more deaths in those age groups than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease, combined, NMHAC says. Even worse, teen suicide is on the rise. The suicide rate for white males aged 15 to 24 has tripled since 1950; for white females 15 to 24, it has more than doubled. More than twice as many youths aged 10 to 14 committed suicide in 1997 than in 1980. And from 1980 to 1996, the suicide rate for black males aged 15 to 19 increased more than 100 percent.

In short, this is a public health crisis. Adolescent depression is not only very serious and potentially lethal, but remarkably common. However, there is hope. Four of five teens who attempt suicide exhibit warning signs, one study shows. If parents, educators and peers know what to look for, they can offer help. Thus, all parents have to be armed with the knowledge of what the warning signs are.

Signs of depression include:

• A change in behavior, such as sleeping or eating habits. Depressed teen-agers may suffer from insomnia, or they might come home from school and go straight to bed.
• Lack of concentration, which may show up in falling grades at school.
• An overwhelming sense of sadness and "disconnectedness." Teens who are depressed have an inability to enjoy things that gave them pleasure in the past. They may lose interest in friends or in activities they used to enjoy.

If parents notice these signs, they should talk to their child and let the child know they are there to help. Parents should also seek help from a pediatrician, psychologist or a school counselor, even if their child resists. If you see your child is suffering and he is socially isolated, you must get help. "If your child is bleeding, you would not discuss whether he wants help. You would go to the emergency room.

Depression is a real illness, and left untreated, it can be lethal, Mehta’s parents reiterate. The reasons for taking action are inescapable. Approximately 80 per cent of depressed teen-agers do not get the necessary psychiatric treatment.. Teens diagnosed with depression are five times more likely than adults to attempt suicide.

After leaving the hospital, Rohit Mehta graduated from high school and enrolled in a local college in Mumbai. Two years later, he relapsed and had to take a leave of absence. After six months, he returned to college and graduated earlier this year. His struggle with mental illness led Mehta to want to help others.

During the past six years, he has spoken to more than 11,000 high school and college students across the country. One of his goals: Reduce the stigma of mental illness. "It helps people realize they are not alone, that it is OK to talk about their problems and it is OK to get help for their problems," he says.

What to do?

Suicides among young people nationwide have increased dramatically in recent years. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts.

In some cases, suicide appears to be a "solution." Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression.

Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:

• Change in eating and sleeping habits
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
• Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
• Drug and alcohol use
• Unusual neglect of personal appearance
• Marked personality change
• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
• Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Not tolerating praise or rewards

A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:

• Complain of being a bad person or feeling "rotten inside"
• Give verbal hints with statements such as: "I will not be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," or "It is no use"
• Put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc.
• Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
• Have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)

If a child or adolescent says, "I want to kill myself," or "I am going to commit suicide," always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician.

People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Rather than "putting thoughts in the child's head," such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems.

If one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a healthier path of development.