Teen suicide in the spotlight this week; know the warning signs
Teen Suicide Prevention Week, run this year from February 18 to 25, seeks to highlight the seriousness of this matter among the youth.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) Suicide is the leading cause of death the age group of 15 to 29 years.
Suicide also touches everyone of all ages, socio-ecocomic groups, races, religions, and gender.
It also accounts for 9.5 per cent of all unnatural teen deaths in South Africa (National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, 2011).
According to a press release by Sadag, the research studies have also shown that 31.5 per cent of youth have attempted suicide requiring medical treatment and have attempted suicide more than once.
In response to these alarming statistics, Sadag recently trained teachers on how to identify teens at risk and intervene to save lives.
Sadag stressed that teen suicide is a preventable tragedy – an issue that can only be solved through help and education. For this reason teachers were targeted since they are in the perfect position to identify a teen at risk and reach out to them.
Warning signs of suicide:
- A suddenly deteriorating academic or sport performance
- Fixation on death – talking or joking about suicide even on social media
- Unhealthy peer relationships
- Volatile mood or a sudden change in personality
- Risk-taking behaviours eg. taking drugs or having unprotected sex
- Abusive or dysfunctional family environment
- Eating disorder, self-harm
- Bullying and peer pressure
- Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance
- Giving away prized possessions
- Social isolation or withdrawing from family and friends
- Frequent absenteeism
Some teens are at risk for suicide if:
- They have attempted suicide before
- There is a history of suicide or depression in the family
- They use alcohol or drugs
- They have been sexually or physically assaulted
- They have a chronic illness
- They have a learning disability or a physical disability
- There is family conflict or relationship problems
- There has been a recent loss, family or relationship break-up, or death
- There has been a disruption in their lives such as relocation or change of school and friends
- They have been exposed to violence
To download a brochure on self-help and suicide visit the Sadag page
* What to do if you suspect someone close to you may be contemplating suicide
While some suicides may occur without any outward warning, most do not. The most effective way to prevent suicide is to learn to recognise the signs of someone at risk, take these signs seriously and know how to respond to them.
- KNOW THE DANGER SIGNS
- Previous suicide attempts: Between 20 and 50 per cent of people who kill themselves have previously attempted suicide. Those who make serious suicide attempts are at much greater risk of actually taking their lives.
- Talking about death or suicide: People who commit suicide often talk about it directly or indirectly. Be alert to such statements as, “My family would be better off without me”. Sometimes those contemplating suicide talk as if they are saying goodbye or going away.
- Depression: Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is expressed instead as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had once been enjoyable.
* Be concerned about depressed persons if at least five of the following symptoms have been present nearly every day for at least two weeks:
- depressed mood
- change in sleeping patterns
- change in appetite or weight
- speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness
- fatigue or loss of energy
- feelings of worthlessness , self-reproach or guilt
- thoughts of death or suicide
* Additional factors that point to an increased risk for suicide in depressed individuals are:
- Extreme anxiety, agitation or enraged behaviour
- Excessive drug and / or alcohol use or abuse
- History of physical or emotional illness
- Feelings of hopelessness or desperation
TAKE THE SIGNS SERIOUSLY
- 75 per cent of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member
- All suicide threats and attempts should be taken seriously.
* BE WILLING TO LISTEN
- Take the initiative to ask what is troubling them
- If your friend or relative is depressed don’t be afraid to ask whether he/she is considering suicide
- Do not attempt to argue anyone out of suicide, rather let the person know that you care and understand that they are not alone, that suicidal feelings are temporary, that depression can be treated and that problems can be solved. Avoid the temptation to say, “ You have so much to live for” or that “ suicide will hurt your family”.
* IN A CRISIS
- In an acute crisis , take the person to an emergency room or walk-in clinic – DO NOT leave the person alone until help is available
- Remove drugs , razors, scissors or firearms that could be used in a suicide attempt away from the potentially suicidal person
- If the above options are unavailable call your local emergency numbers.
To contact a counsellor at Sadag between 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday, phone 011 234 4837. For a suicidal emergency contact us on 0800 567 567. The 24hr helpline is 0800 12 13 14.
