Warning signs of adolescent suicide and depression

Child depression is very real and a very serious situation in our modern world. Every year, there are more and more cases of children taking their own lives due to the choking effect that depression has on them. It is, therefore, important for a parent to know how to spot the signs of depression in their adolescent child, as well as knowing what to do in the case of depression or possible suicide. To shed more light on this topic, the Herald spoke to two professionals at the North-West University Potchefstroom who work in the field: Mrs Heleen Coetzee, lecturer in the Department Psychology and Dr Kobus du Plooy from the Institute of Psychology and Well-being.
According to Coetzee, there are many factors that work together to cause adolescent depression.

•  A bad experience in a relationship and a broken heart at a young age can be a tremendous emotional setback.
• Personal loss also has a dynamic influence on depression. This could be the loss of a family member, the loss of a dream or even the loss of a first love.
•  According to Du Plooy, adolescents today are more susceptible to depression than those of 20 years ago.
•  In today’s modern life, there is a lot more pressure on children and families hardly ever get together anymore.
•  Social media also has a negative effect on the psychological stability of an adolescent because they have no power over it and are at its mercy. This is also where cyber-bullying takes place.
•  According to Coetzee, today’s hectic society has become stressful and results in children, especially adolescents, feeling lonely, even when they are surrounded by people.
•  Children at this age get emotional very quickly, especially in situations where parents are absent.
•  The manner in which a family communicates and their interaction with each other can also have an impact on an adolescent.
• All of these situations, which may seem normal in an everyday family, could be a trigger that pushes a child over the edge.

It is sometimes difficult to see if a child is depressed or self-destructive and parents, therefore, need to know what the signs look like.
Signs of depression vary from one child to another, but there are a few that normally surface.

•  Some children might sleep a lot more frequently than usual, and others won’t sleep at all.
•  A child with depression might eat a lot more than usual, or they might stop eating altogether.
•  According to Coetzee, the frequent use of substances like alcohol and drugs is also a sign of depression.
•  Acts of self-harm, although not necessarily a direct warning of suicide, are definitely a cry for help and cannot be taken lightly.
•  Du Plooy suggests that aggressiveness and agitation, especially among boys, can also be a warning sign.
•  Most adolescents, when suffering from depression, withdraw from society and would rather spend their time in isolation. They are also unlikely to talk to anyone, especially about their feelings.

As soon as a parent sees any of the warning signs, it is of crucial importance that the child is not ignored. According to Coetzee, there is no such thing as a child making threats of self-harm or suicide for the sake of getting attention. Children making these threats need attention and help, even if they seem not to want it.

Any parent, who might have seen warning signs in the actions of their children, is welcome to contact the Institute of Psychology and Well-being at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus by phoning 018 299 1737.
Act now, before it is too late.