Suicides among young people continue to be a serious problem. Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide 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.

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. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress. 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 signs and symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. Parents need to be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:

change in eating and sleeping habit
drug and alcohol use
frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc
loss of interest in pleasurable activities
marked personality change
not tolerating praise or rewards
persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
unusual neglect of personal appearance
violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:

become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside
give verbal hints with statements such as: I won't be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, It's no use, and I won't see you again
have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)
put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc.

When a child, adolescent, or young adult says, I want to kill myself, or I'm going to commit suicide, always take the statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional.

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. When one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help from a physician or a qualified mental health professional. With support from family and appropriate treatment, children, teenagers, and young adults who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development.

Are you in crisis? Please call 1-800-273-TALK

Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless?

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.