SUICIDE
Suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 24.
• Most suicides occur in the home, and most between 3pm to midnight
• Nearly 5,000 teenagers commit suicide yearly.
• There are 30 to 50 times as many attempted suicides as completed suicides.
• Four times as many males complete suicide than females.
• Female teenagers attempt suicide twice as frequently as male       teenagers.
• Most males used violent means, such as guns, hanging, etc. Most females uses drug overdoses.
• Over half of teenage suicide victims had substance abuse problems.
• Almost all suicide victims have at least one mental or substance abuse disorder, and over half have more than one disorder.
• Suicide risk and depression may have a biological cause. Some depressions may be caused by unbalanced levels of certain brain chemicals.
• Biological relatives of suicides are at higher risk of suicide.

• If some of these apply to you or a friend PLEASE talk to a trusted adult, parent, teacher or mental heath professional:

• Sleep patterns have changed: sleeping later, waking earlier, not sleeping well or napping frequently
• Eating patterns have changed: eating more or less than usual and have noticeably lost or gained weight
• Restlessness
• Withdrawal from friends and/or family
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Mood and/or behavior changes: either hyperactivity or extreme withdrawal
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Loss of concentration, trouble in school
• The feeling that life is no longer worth living
• The feeling that you are all alone and that no one cares

• Talk about suicide.
• Giving away favorite items, especially if they've become very cheerful after having been depressed.
• Stressors such as abuse, humiliating events, a loss (such as the loss of a boy/girlfriend, failure in school or a death in the family) or the break-up of the marriage of parents.
• Alcohol or drug abuse.

What Loved Ones Should Do 

• LISTEN! Don't brush off a suicide threat. Draw the teenager in. Surround him or her with love and reassurance that they are suffering from depression, which can be treated medically.
• Make sure that the teenager realizes that there are people who want to help. Mention teachers, school counselors, parents of friends, trusted family members, clergy members...whatever it takes to pursuade them that they have someone to share their feelings with.
• Seek professional help immediately. Start with your pediatrician. They usually have resources you can contact.
• Please remember that Depression is an illness which can be treated, usually very effectively. There is no stigma, and it doesn't mean there's no hope.

• Remember that the depression of a loved one affects everyone in the family.
• Consider family counseling so that you can deal with your teenager's illness.
• Look for a support group so that you can share your fears, concerns, hopes with people who are going through the same thing.
• Make sure to make time for yourself. You can't help if you can't cope.