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Written by Duke
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To help youth address the problem of violence, the American Psychological Association (APA) and Music Television (MTV) have teamed up to provide youth with information about identifying the warning signs of violent behavior. They also address the issue of how to get help should they recognize these signs in themselves or their peers.
Following are possible warning signs to look for in a child or adolescent who is at risk for suicide: - previous suicide attempts
- significant alcohol or drug use
- suicide threats or communicating thoughts about death, dying or the afterlife
- sudden increase in moodiness
- withdrawal or isolation
- major changes in eating or sleeping habits
- feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
- poor control over behavior
- impulsive, aggressive behavior
- drop in quality of school performance or interest in school
- lack of interest in usual activities
- getting into trouble with authority figures
- perfectionism
- giving away important possessions
- hinting at not being around in the future or saying goodbye
These warning signs are particularly important to notice when they follow: - the recent death or suicide of a friend or family member
- a recent break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or conflict with parents
- news reports of other suicides by young people in the same school or community
What to Do:
Ask your child if he/she is depressed or thinking of suicide. Rather than putting dangerous thoughts into his/her head, asking shows that you care and that he/she is not alone. Don't leave them alone. If you think your child has a mental illness or substance abuse problem, get the help he/she needs even if there is resistance. Most importantly, take seriously any suicide attempt. If your child or someone else you know is thinking about suicide, find a crisis center in your area and call immediately. Source: The Health Information Network |
