Teenage Suicide - Recognizing-the-threat

I just became a Great Grandfather.

Obviously, my children are well beyond their teen age years, but their children aren't. Fortunately, our family has been able to navigate through their trying 'growing-up years' without a major mishap or hearbreak.

But a lot of families haven't. They have experienced heartbreaking incidents of automobile deaths caused by underage drinking, serious life threatening illnesses, the deaths of aging parents, etc., but the most devastating of family disruption is teenage suicide.

It's not always easy to get teenagers to share their problems and issues with their parents, let alone getting them to participate in daily conversations with more than mono-syllable grunts.

But they do talk with each other. Teenagers who have lost a friend or relative to suicide are acutely aware of the pain, suffering, and consequences of this shattering event. Maybe they don't share life threatening issues, but when they recognize depressing issues troubling a friend, they try to help.

It's vitally important that parents, grandparent and guardians recognize the depth of teenage despair of "Children at Risk". Early recognition is vital to saving them from self destruction. Recognize, too, that there has been a heartbreaking rise in child and teen suicide rates during the past decade.

There are many organizations that will help troubled teenagers with suicidal tendencies - but only after their life threatening thoughts have been recognized.

The Centers for Disease Control reported recently that "...the suicide rate rose more than 18% in those 1 to 19 years old, from 2.2 per 100,000 in 2003 to 2.6 per 100,000 in 2004. In those 15 to 19 years old, the figures reflected a more than 12% rise in suicide, from 7.3 per 100,000 in 2003 to 8.2 per 100,000 in 2004."

Parents, grandparents and guardians must be able to recognize the warning signs that often accompany the deeply depressed state of mind of our children.

Realize, too, that the pain they feel is real. Go to your teenager and offer support and compassion. Really listen to what they are trying to tell you about their feelings. Try not to give advice and don't make judgements.

Ask if your child has thought about suicide, and seek professional help.

Here are addresses of just three of the many organizations waiting to help you save your teenager and any other Children at Risk.

National Suicide Hopeline

Phone: 800.784.2433

Who They Help: Families, concerned individuals

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Phone: 800.273.8255

Who They Help: Families, concerned individuals

and at http://www.speakupsavelives.com

Teenagers themselves are pitching in when they can - especially those who have experienced the pain of loss of a friend or family member. Some teenagers who have actually tried it themselves, and failed (survived), have the deepest understanding and participate in Internet forums to share their experiences and help other teeners get through their darkest time of depression.

They are reaching out to each other through the Internet in teen age forums - like "Open Your Eyes to Teen Suicide" at http://www.bebo.com/OYETTS.

Parents and guardians, for a real eye opener and look into your teenager's inner thoughts, read some of the posts at this site. Many are by other teens who, themselves, have considered and even tried to kill themselves.

And maybe because it's peer talk - teens talking to teens in their language - it can help parents better understand the issues of their teen aged children and get some clues to recognizing their distress in time to avoid a catastrophe.

Hopefully, it will help you understand where they're coming from.

For more help, look into: Speak Up Save Lives - http://www.SpeakUpSaveLives.com

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following warning signs.

Watch for

• * 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