Comment by Jeanette C Aguilar on June 4, 2012 at 2:06pm

Dr Mansueto my sincere condolences on the loss of your son.  I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Comment by Lei Udell on June 4, 2012 at 3:20pm

I am grateful to Maggie Hannegan for opening this discussion, because the mental and emotional health of our teens is so important and yet so little discussed.  At the same time, it is important to respect the privacy of individuals and families and try to discuss the subject in general terms, as it affects all of us.

I would like everyone to know about a valuable, free resource, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Obviously, not everyone with mental illness is suicidal; but the converse is true: the majority of persons (90%) who attempt or commit suicide do have mental illness, generally a major depressive disorder.  These illnesses can be treated, and can be helped, but overcoming the silence and the stigma surrounding them is a huge part of the battle.  The NAMI website contains a wealth of resources, both information (remember, knowledge is power) and sources for classes and support groups. Arm yourself, and then follow the song-- reach out and touch someone.

Below is an excerpt on Suicide in Youth from the NAMI website (link:  http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/T...):

Suicide in Youth

How many young people make serious suicide attempts or commit suicide?

Each year in the U.S., approximately 2 million U.S. adolescents attempt suicide, and almost 700,000 receive medical attention for their attempt (AACAP, 2001). According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, in 2001, 2.6% of students reported making a suicide attempt that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse. With respect to suicide, it is estimated that each year in the U.S., approximately 2,000 youth aged 10 – 19 complete suicide. In 2000, suicide was the 3^rd leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide (CDC Wonder).

• The suicide rate among children aged 10-14 was 1.5/100,000, or 300 deaths among 19,895,072 children in this age group.
• The suicide rate among adolescents aged 15-19 was 8.2/100,000, or 1,621 deaths among 19,882,596 adolescents in this age group.
• The suicide rate among young people aged 20-24 was 12.8/100,000, or 2,373 deaths among 18,484,615 people in this age group.

What leads to suicide in children and adolescents?

Suicide is the result of many complex factors. More than 90% of youth suicide victims have at least one major psychiatric disorder, although younger adolescent suicide victims have lower rates of psychopathology (Gould et al., 2003). It is important to note that while the majority of suicide victims have a history of psychiatric disorder, especially mood disorders, very few adolescents with psychiatric disorder will go on to complete suicide.

Other important risk factors for suicide and suicidal behavior include:

• Prior suicide attempt
• Co-occurring mental and alcohol or substance abuse disorders
• Family history of suicide
• Parental psychopathology
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns
• Exposure to the suicide of a family member, friend, or other significant person
• History of physical or sexual abuse
• Same-sex sexual orientation (only been shown for suicidal behavior, not suicide)
• Impaired parent-child relationships
• Life stressors, especially interpersonal losses and legal or disciplinary problems
• Lack of involvement in school and/or work ("drifting")

Is there some way that family or other adults can identify a young person at risk?

Yes, people can be educated about the warning signs of suicidal behavior. Some of the key risk factors to look for are listed above. The single biggest risk factor is serious current suicidality, either suicidal ideation with intent to commit suicide, or a recent attempt. Other warning signs include (abstracted from AACAP Teen Suicide Fact Sheet):

• 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

For adolescents who are already receiving psychiatric treatment, family psychoeducation may be an effective approach to help parents and family members to understand better the problems of their adolescent. The goals of such education are to increase compliance with treatment, promote a partnership with the parents so that they can monitor the patient with regard to recurrences, and to help the family learn how to cope with a child with a psychiatric illness.

Is there some way that suicide can be prevented in young people?

Yes, suicide can be prevented. As noted above, most suicides occur with at least some outward warning. One of the most effective suicide prevention strategies is educating people about how to identify and effectively respond to the warning signs of suicidal behavior, thus increasing the referral of at-risk youth. Screening for psychopathology among adolescents may be one way to detect youths at risk for suicide. However, because suicidal tendencies tend to wax and wane, screenings may have to be repeated. Treatment of parental psychopathology may also attenuate risk in psychiatrically ill youths.

One of the primary goals of effective suicide prevention strategies among young people is to reduce suicide risk factors. Psychopathology, particularly mood disorders, conduct/antisocial disorders, and substance abuse, is strongly associated with youth suicide. Importantly, these mental disorders are all treatable. Therefore, it is imperative that psychiatric disorders in young people be accurately recognized and effectively treated.

According to one recent case-control study (Brent et al., 1999) the effective targeting of a handful of risk factors, namely past suicide attempt, psychopathology in the adolescent, parental psychopathology, and gun in the home, is likely to result in a substantial reduction in the suicide rate among youth.

If a youngster attempts suicide, what interventions should be sought?

Unfortunately, very little is known about the treatment of suicidal youth. However, the majority of adolescent suicide attempters have a depressive disorder, and we do know that SSRIs, cognitive therapy, and interpersonal therapy are all efficacious treatments for depressive disorders.  [more . . .]

Comment by Katie's Mom Mary Grace on June 4, 2012 at 6:40pm

Great information! Thanks for sharing it.

 

Comment by Amanda Barnett Rimmer on June 5, 2012 at 11:30pm

Parents are naive to believe that schools can somehow fix teenage despair through SAFE, assemblies, anti-bullying campaigns, or by adding a few books to their already burgeoning academic loads. Self-worth, love for and deference to others, religious & moral codes, ethics, and reverence for human life are taught most effectively through healthy, lifelong, familial discipleship and modeling. There are no short cuts or substitutes. 

 

Comment by Janet Dore on June 6, 2012 at 9:05pm

Bobby was one of my son's best friends. They understood each other. As a parent, this both warms and breaks my heart. Depression affects FAR TOO MANY kids in this generation. As I walked by Panera's back patio just 2 days ago, I walked by a table of teens...rather than discussing something age-appropriate, one boy was telling about a girl who was taking anti-depressants. This issue goes far deeper than academic pressures...it speaks to a serious dysfunction at the core of our society. Those with sensitive intuitive souls suffer the most damage. (The good news is that it did not have anything to do with bullying.)

Comment (keep it clean & on topic)

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