The causes of teen suicide

KIBLER PARK – A life altering loss could have a devastating effect on a child’s life, says Rainbows SA based in Kibler Park, an organisation that helps children “through life’s storms”.

As the world marked World Suicide Prevention Week, Rainbows SA revealed that teenage suicides are growing at an alarming rate and a recent study showed that over 20 per cent of teens in South Africa have contemplated committing suicide.

Many experts have agreed that depression tops the list of possible causes of teen suicides. Dr. Willie Strydom, CEO of Rainbows SA, states that loss from a life-altering crises, could very well be a major cause of teenage suicides.

The potential reactions teens have to a life-altering crises can be linked to the causes of depression from “outside influences”. Reactions to loss include drug and alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, overly aggressiveness, a drop in academic performance, withdrawal from friends and family and many more. These responses can create a sense of guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness and ultimately lead to suicide.

Numerous studies, far too many to list, have been done and are continued, about the effects of loss on the lives of children. They vary and differ in many ways but they concur in one respect – a life-altering loss has a devastating effect on a child’s life if not addressed adequately.

Helping children deal with their grief after a loss will go a long way to prevent teen suicides. “People normally focus on the physical well-being of children, such as food, clothes, a place to stay and so forth,” says Willie. “Time and money allowing, an effort is made to get the children some professional help from a counsellor or psychologist. The reality is that the emotional well-being is as important as the physical well-being. The best clothes, food and house mean nothing to a child who cannot come to grips with the loss of a parent, friend or family member,” he emphasised.

“We must look at loss holistically and ensure the child is on as sound an emotional level as a physical level. By doing so, we will address the issue of teen suicides proactively and more effectively,” he argued.

The teenage years, normally considered between the ages 13 and 17 years, are the most difficult. This is when people learn to define who they are and develop their own values, priorities and goals. “During this time we develop our own unique identity, separate from our family and parents,” explains Willie. “It is very tough being a teenager, even under the best of circumstances, for it is a time of great change and this causes confusion and stress. When a teenager’s life is turned upside down due to a loss like death, divorce, moving to a new town or school, having a parent or friend diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or any other loss, the impact could be devastating and even deadly,” he concluded.