Suicide Warning Signs
Today's movies, music, video games, and other media can lead many young girls to believe that suicide is a glorious experience. Added to that are easy access to weapons, pills galore in the medicine cabinet at home, and the glamorization of a drug overdose. Some girls go so far as to mention their suicidal leanings to their friends but swear them to secrecy. Please warn your daughter about that possibility and tell her that the consequences of keeping quiet could be tragic. Should her friend commit suicide, your daughter would feel a horrible burden of guilt for the rest of her life. Therefore, tell her to let you know immediately when a girl in her circle mentions suicide, even worse — when she mentions it more than once, even just in a joking manner.
Alert
The reason that girls in trouble — real or imagined — can often think of suicide as a first step — not a last one — is that their short lives have not equipped them to come up with other and better solutions. Adolescents don't think like adults and react with gut instinct when they process emotion, according to Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, MD.
A phrase such as “I'll kill myself if I don't get asked to the prom” may just be part of a teen girl's everyday verbal chit-chat. But when this statement is repeated over and over with a somber expression and with tears cascading down her face, the girl's friends need to listen. Maybe there is more to it. Teach your daughter to do the following:
Keep an eye out for any friend who seems to be sad for an unusually long time.
Encourage her friend to look for help and go with her to the guidance counselor.
Discuss what worries her about her friend with you or another trusted adult.
Besides listening to your daughter and her friends' conversation for any hints of a possible suicide, a parent needs to be familiar with the associated risk factors.
Suicide Risk Factors
Once you know the risk factors for suicide in girls, you can be especially watchful not only in regard to your daughter but also the girls in her group. Plus, you can pass this information on to other parents and make them aware as well. Who knows, you might even save a young life.
Here are the risk factors for teenage suicide:
Previous suicide attempts or having a close family member who committed suicide
Recent tragic losses, such as the death of a loved one, or divorce, or a breakup with a boyfriend
Social aloneness — no friends or activities to engage in
Drug or alcohol abuse. Drugs and alcohol can decrease the impulse control, making impulsive suicide more apt to occur
Loaded weapons in the home
The presence of depression, eating disorders, and other medical conditions
However, the good news is that most suicidal girls send up plenty of red flags about their intentions. Of course they do; they want someone to notice. So in addition to paying attention to any suicidal talk among your daughter and her friends, watch out for other crucial signs.
Fact
Some researchers believe there are two groups of suicidal teens. One is the long-term chronically or severely depressed group. The suicide attempts by this group are carefully planned. The other group may not be as severely depressed and acts more impulsively and on the spur of the moment, using whatever method is handy at the time.
There are other signs of impending suicide in a girl. Some can be quite noticeable and should be eye-opening. For example, teenage girls usually “love” their favorite clothes, shoes, purses, CDs, and movies. When they suddenly start giving them all away, investigate why. Also watch out for any girl preoccupied with death and dying, taking excessive risks, being extremely depressed, and acting so differently from the way she used to be.
Best Health News
The excellent good news is that the mental health field has made enormous strides. Depressed girls can now be treated early, before they go too far. You and your daughter have all kinds of treatment options available these days, should she need them. There is talk therapy, a vast array of new antidepressant medicines, and — most often recommended — a combination of both. Know that you have available to you many top doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists. All you have to do is call upon their expertise right away. You really must not hesitate to do so should your girl experience any of the following disorders, which are impossible to overcome without professional help.
