November 19, 2008
Depression often goes unnoticed until a tragedy strikes. According to the 2007 MN Student Survey, one in four Dakota County 9 th and one in three 12 th graders reported they had thought of killing themselves and nearly 7% of these students reported they had tried to kill themselves.
To understand adolescent depression one must look at what is going on inside the teen’s mind. Depressed teens present an overall feeling of unhappiness, as well as feelings of inner turmoil, chaos, hopelessness, and low self-worth. Many adolescents feel that their families do not understand them. Depressed teens often feel their emotions are played down, not taken seriously, or met by hostility from people around them.
Adolescents need to learn that with treatment, depression ends. People who are depressed and thinking about suicide often show changes in their behavior.
Know the Warning Signs
These changes in behavior are usually an outgrowth of depression and are warning signs. If your teen shows these warning signs, please talk to him or her about their concerns and get help if the warning signs continue.
- Noticeable changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Unexplained, or unusually severe, violent or rebellious behavior
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Running away
- Persistent boredom and/or difficulty concentrating
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Unexplained drop in the quality of schoolwork
- Unusual neglect of appearance
- Drastic personality change
- Complaints of physical problems that are not real
- A focus on themes of death
- Giving away prized possessions
- Talking about suicide or making plans, even jokingly
- Threatening or attempting to kill oneself
People often threaten to kill themselves before committing suicide. These threats should always be taken seriously, as should previous suicide attempts. By asking your teen whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide, you are letting him or her know that someone cares.
Know the Warning Signs
Parents and friends can help a depressed teen through the following strategies:
- Talk, ask questions, and be willing to really listen. Don't dismiss your teen's problems as unimportant. Parents and other influential adults should never make fun of or ignore an adolescent's concerns, especially if they matter a great deal to her and are making her unhappy. Be honest. It you're worried about your teen, say so. You will not spark thoughts of suicide just by asking about it.
- Share your feelings. Let your teen know he's not alone. Everyone feels sad or depressed at times.
- Get help for your teen and yourself. Talk to your pediatrician, teacher, counselor, clergy, or other trained professional. Don't wait for the problem to "go away." Although feelings of sadness and depression can disappear as quickly as they came, they can also build to the point that an adolescent thinks of suicide as the only way out. Be careful not to assume that your teen's problems have been so easily solved.
Source: Parents as Partners: A Suicide Prevention Guide for Parents
-information compiled by the Dakota County Public Health Department, 1/08
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