Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone: male or female, young or old, introvert or extrovert. According to a 2018 study done by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Suicide is the 2nd cause of death among adolescents around ages 15-24, With social media, worries about relationships and family, and the struggle to deal with difficult emotions and thoughts, being a teenager can be hard. But it absolutely doesn’t mean these things have to be undergone alone. One way to help is to be aware of these thoughts before any serious actions are taken. Here are some ways to become aware of suicidal thoughts among teenagers as claimed by the 2018 study above:

Thoughts about suicide and suicide attempts are often associated with depression. In addition to depression, other risk factors include:

• family history of suicide attempts
• exposure to violence
• impulsivity
• aggressive or disruptive behavior
• access to firearms 
• bullying
• feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• acute loss or rejection

Some warning signs associated with suicide can include:

• changes in eating or sleeping habits
• frequent or pervasive sadness
• withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
• frequent complaints about physical symptoms often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
• decline in the quality of schoolwork
• preoccupation with death and dying

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to a trusted adult or professional.

Call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Call Montgomery Crisis Hotline: 1-800-659-6994

Or 

Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line: 741-741