Today I want to talk about a topic that's very tragic and very important and that is suicide amongst teenagers or teenage suicide.
It may shock you to know that approximately once every two hours in the United States, a person between the ages of 15 and 24 accomplishes the ultimate act of killing themselves.
5000 Teenage Suicides per Year in the US alone Approximately 5,000 young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years old kill themselves every year in the United States alone and there's a lot more around the world.
Now this is an incredible number and we as parents need to really be aware of what goes on.
Some Signs To Look For Teenagers are especially vulnerable, they're in a very difficult period of their life and they're emotionally unstable (although most of them would not agree).
They haven't developed all the life-coping skills that they're going to need and hopefully have later on in life.
It can be easy for them to reach a really negative conclusion, especially with peer pressure, bullying, sextortion, and all the other things that can go on.
It could be easy for them to reach the conclusion that their life isn't worth living and they want to do something about it.
Unfortunately, as I said, about 5,000 of them manage to do something about it every year.
Let's start with what are some of the signs that a teenager may be contemplating suicide.
Amongst the signs are irritability, depression, drug and alcohol use, any other mental disorders, such as bipolar for example, making comments about not wanting to be around or not going to be around much longer, giving away possessions, stopping doing things that they normally like to do.
Usually, teenagers will hint.
They'll let you know that something is going on.
As parents we frequently tend to think when they say something like, "Awe, I'm just going to go kill myself.
" that they're trying to just get attention and we brush it off.
I'm going to admit that I was a little guilty of this at one point.
Yes, They Need Attention Well yes, they are trying to get attention.
They're sending a message and it is a powerful, deep message and an important message and the message is, "Not only am I trying to get attention, I really desperately need attention because I'm not feeling good about myself.
I need help.
" This is the time to step up to the plate rather than brush it off, to take it very seriously, to wrap your arms around that kid and say, "Honey, what's bothering you? Let's talk.
" And, if necessary, intervene, get help.
Suicide is preventable and what it requires is for us to really take it seriously if we have a teenager who seems to be stressed.
By the way, divorce causes stress in all kids and especially teens.
The suicide rate is elevated in divorced households especially amongst males.
So this is something to be taken very seriously.
My wish for you is that your children grow up happy and healthy and are positive contributors to society.
Now go take a good look at them, give them a hug and keep them safe.