Teen suicide: What parents need to know

Teen suicide: What parents need to know

Know the risk factors for teen suicide, the warning signs and the steps you can take to protect your teen.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Is your teen at risk of suicide? Some things, such as medical, family and social problems, can make some teenagers more likely to take their own lives. Learn how to tell if your teen might be at risk for considering suicide. And find out where to turn for help and treatment.

What makes teens prone to suicide?

Many teens who attempt or die by suicide have a mental health illness. As a result, they have trouble coping with the stress of being a teen. They might have a very hard time dealing with rejection, failure, breakups, school troubles or family problems.

And they might not be able to see that they can turn their lives around. They also might not fully understand that suicide is a permanent response, not a solution, to a short-term problem.

What are the risk factors for teen suicide?

It is important to say that teens often cope with stressful medical, physical and life events without attempting self-harm or suicide.

But it's a good idea to be aware of certain risk factors. Medical or physical issues that can raise the risk of suicide include:

• A mental health illness such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
• Changes related to puberty or a long-term illness.
• A substance use disorder.

Life circumstances that can raise the risk include:

• Family history of mood disorders, suicide or actions that could lead to suicide.
• Being exposed to the suicide of a family member or friend.
• History of physical or sexual abuse, or being exposed to violence or bullying.
• Access to means of suicide, such as guns or medicines.
• Losing close friends or family members, or having conflicts with them.
• Being gender diverse with risk factors such as bullying and family or social conflicts.
• Being adopted.

Children who have attempted suicide in the past also are at greater risk.

What are the warning signs that a teen might be suicidal?

Warning signs that a teen might be thinking about suicide include:

• Talking or writing about suicide. For example, making statements such as "I'm going to kill myself," or "I won't be a problem for you much longer."
• Using more and more alcohol or drugs.
• Feeling trapped, hopeless or helpless about a situation.
• Doing risky or self-destructive things.
• Giving away personal items for no clear, logical reason.

Some other warning signs might seem like typical teenage behavior:

• Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns.
• Becoming less social and wanting to be alone.
• Having mood swings.

Suicidal teens also might have personality changes or become very anxious or agitated when they experience some of the warning signs listed above.

What should I do if I suspect my teen is suicidal?

If you think your teen is in danger right now, call 911, your local emergency number or a suicide hotline. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 888-628-9454 (toll-free).

If you suspect that your teen might be thinking about suicide, talk to your teen right away. Don't be afraid to use the word "suicide." Talking about suicide won't plant ideas for self-harm in a child's head.

Ask how your teenager is feeling and listen. Don't dismiss your teen's problems. Instead, reassure your child of your love. Remind your teen that together, you can work through whatever is going on.

Also, seek medical help for your teen. Ask your teen's health care provider to guide you.

Your teen's health care provider will want to get a sense of what's going on from sources such as:

• The teen.
• Parents or guardians.
• Other people close to the teen.
• School reports.
• Past medical or mental health exams.

Teens who are feeling suicidal often need the help of a specialist. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or other licensed mental health professional.

You may find a health care professional who treats mental health in children. Or you might find one who will want to talk with the teen and parents, or the whole family.

In some cases, it may be hard for caregivers to keep a suicidal teen safe at home. The teen's provider or mental health professional may recommend treatment in a hospital or intensive outpatient program. Or they might suggest calling local crisis response services for help.

What can I do to prevent teen suicide?

You can take steps to help protect your teen. For example:

• Talk about mental health and suicide. Don't wait for your teen to come to you. Ask what's wrong if your teen is sad, anxious, depressed or seems to be struggling. Listen and offer your support.
• Pay attention. Teens who think about suicide often show warning signs. Listen to what your child says and watch how your child acts. Never disregard threats of suicide as teenage drama.
• Discourage too much alone time. Encourage your teen to spend time with supportive friends and family.
• Monitor and talk about social media use. Keep an eye on your teen's social media accounts. Social media can give teens valuable support, but it can expose them to hurtful things too. That includes bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people's lives and peer pressure. If your teen is hurt or upset by social media posts or messages, encourage your teen to talk to you or to another trusted adult or teacher. Feeling connected and supported at school can have a strong protective effect.
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle. Help your teen eat well, exercise and get regular sleep.
• Support the treatment plan. If your teen is getting treatment for suicidal behavior, it might take time to feel better. Help your teen follow the treatment plan. Also, encourage your teen to take part in activities that can help boost confidence and healthy connections with others.
• Monitor medicines. Some teens might have more suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking medicines called antidepressants. This isn't common. But the risk is higher in the first few weeks after starting a medicine or when a dose is changed. Still, antidepressants are more likely to lower suicide risk in the long run, because they can improve mood. If your teen has suicidal thoughts while taking an antidepressant, call the doctor right away or get emergency help.
• Safely store guns, alcohol and medicines. Access to means of suicide can play a role if a teen is already suicidal.

If you're worried about your teen, have an honest talk with your child and get help right away.

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

CAUSES

The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully understood, although a combination of factors is thought to be responsible.

Genetics

ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition.

Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

However, the way ADHD is inherited is likely to be complex and is not thought to be related to a single genetic fault.

Brain function and structure

Research has identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD from those without the condition, although the exact significance of these is not clear.

For example, studies involving brain scans have suggested that certain areas of the brain may be smaller in people with ADHD, whereas other areas may be larger.

Other studies have suggested that people with ADHD may have an imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters in the brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly.

Groups at risk

Certain people are also believed to be more at risk of ADHD, including people:

who were born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) or with a low birthweight

with epilepsy

with brain damage – which happened either in the womb or after a severe head injury later in life.

If your problems are recent and did not occur regularly in the past, you're not considered to have ADHD. This is because it's currently thought that ADHD cannot develop for the first time in adults.

Other possible treatments

There are other ways of treating ADHD that some people with the condition find helpful, such as cutting out certain foods and taking supplements. However, there's no strong evidence these work, and they should not be attempted without medical advice.

Diet

People with ADHD should eat a healthy, balanced diet. Do not cut out foods before seeking medical advice.

Some people may notice a link between types of food and worsening ADHD symptoms. If this is the case, keep a diary of what you eat and drink, and what behaviour follows. Discuss this with a GP, who may refer you to a dietitian (a healthcare professional who specialises in nutrition).

Supplements

Some studies have suggested that supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with ADHD, although the evidence supporting this is very limited.

It's advisable to talk to a GP before using any supplements, because some can react unpredictably with medicine or make it less effective.

You should also remember that some supplements should not be taken long term, as they can reach dangerous levels in your body.

Tips for parents

If you're the parent of a child with ADHD:

be sure your GP or specialist helps you understand the difference between ADHD and any other problems your child may have

think about who else needs to know about your child's ADHD, such as their school or nursery

find out the side effects of any medicine your child takes and what you need to look out for

getting to know people at local support groups can stop you feeling isolated and help you to cope

Exercise

Make sure your child gets lots of physical activity during the day. Walking, skipping and playing sport can help your child wear themselves out and improve their quality of sleep.

Make sure they're not doing anything too strenuous or exciting near to bedtime.

Read our physical activity guidelines for children and young people, which includes information on getting active, and how much activity you and your child should be doing.

Eating

Keep an eye on what your child eats. If your child is hyperactive after eating certain foods, which may contain additives or caffeine, keep a diary of these and discuss them with a GP.

Bedtime

Stick to a routine. Make sure your child goes to bed at the same time each night and gets up at the same time in the morning.

Avoid overstimulating activities in the hours before bedtime, such as computer games or watching TV.

Night time

Sleep problems and ADHD can be a vicious circle. ADHD can lead to sleep problems, which in turn can make symptoms worse.

Many children with ADHD will repeatedly get up after being put to bed and have interrupted sleep patterns. Trying a sleep-friendly routine can help your child and make bedtime less of a battleground.

Help at school

Children with ADHD often have problems with their behaviour at school, and the condition can negatively affect a child's academic progress.

Speak to your child's teachers or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about any extra support your child may need.

Adults with ADHD

If you're an adult living with ADHD, you may find the following advice useful:

if you find it hard to stay organised, then make lists, keep diaries, stick up reminders and set aside some time to plan what you need to do

let off steam by exercising regularly

find ways to help you relax, such as listening to music or learning breathing exercises for stress

if you have a job, speak to your employer about your condition, and discuss anything they can do to help you work better

if you're at college or university, ask about what adjustments can be made to support you, such as extra time to complete exams and coursework

talk to a doctor about your suitability to drive, as you'll need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if your ADHD affects your driving

contact or join a local or national support group – these organisations can put you in touch with other people in a similar situation, and can be a good source of support, information and advice

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