Teen Suicide - A Very Real Issue

Hey everyone as you know I've been doing shows focussing on keeping our kids safe! Today we did another show along that very line and talked about Teen Suicide. Katherine Gagne of Junior Achievement and Shine Women's Conference was our guest and shared candidly about a suicide situation that has found it's way into her life. 

As a coach of a junior girls Volleyball team Katherine is now walking her own girls (mother of 3) plus her team members through the sudden loss of one of their own players. Sadly, she was lost to Teen Suicide. I encourage you to listen ON DEMAND to our conversation and continue to keep yourself aware of the danger that is lurking in the lives of our children (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn).

I promised I would post some of the stats and information I shared on the show. This information is limited however it is a starting point for you to do some more investigating on your own.

Teen Suicide Statistics:

• 24.1% of teens have thought seriously about attempting suicide.
  
• 17.1% have made specific plans about suicide.
  
• 8.7% of students have attempted suicide.
  
• 2.8% have made an attempt that resulted in medical attention.
  
• *Suicide claims more lives in North America than homicide*
  
• Teen Suicide is the 6th leading cause of death for kids between the ages of 5-14
  
• Teen Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for kids between the ages of 15-24
  

Fast Facts on Teen Suicide:

• Teens having the highest risk include perfectionists or overachievers
  
• Teens who have been through a life altering event, such as divorce, pregnancy, loss of limbs or sight, or loss of a loved one are also very high risk.
  
• Teenagers with a conduct disorder, or who have a mental disorder, such as clinical depression, schizophrenia, or eating disorders have a high risk.
  
• Another high risk group are teens who are victims of bullying or domestic abuse.

Warning Signs:

• Depression
  
• Self-mutilation
  
• Drug/Alcohol use
  
• No sense of humour
  
• Changes in social interactions
  
• Change in eating and sleeping habits
  
• Loss of interest in activities normally enjoyed
  
• Drastic weight loss or gain commonly attributed to specific eating disorders
  
• Complete or near-complete withdrawal altogether from peers and social contact
  
• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
  
• Mood changes (especially if the teenager acts increasingly angry about life in general)
  
• Quietness, especially if the teenager used to confide in the parent and suddenly no longer does
  

Helpful Sites and Resources:

www.organizedwisdom.com

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_suicide

www.americanacademyofpediatrics.com

National Alliance on Mentall Illness

Contact your GP and talk

I hope this has been helpful and that we all continue to use our voice and do what we can to keep our kids safe. Please, keep lines of communication open in your homes, make sure your children know they have a soft place to land when times are tough and they feel like there's no tomorrow or 'no light at the end of the tunnel'. 

Susan