Suicide Prevention Information for Teens, Fifth Edition

Teens often encounter a multitude of stressors and complex emotions as they navigate through the adolescent years. The feelings associated with puberty, self-doubt, uncertainty about the future, family conflicts, and academic pressures can become overwhelming at times. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide ranked as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 34 in 2017. However, suicidal behavior is not a typical response to stress. Mental health experts assert that most teenagers who die by suicide have underlying mental health issues, a history of substance abuse, or both. By recognizing suicide risks and responding to warning signs, many distressed teens can learn that the emotions driving them to contemplate suicide are manageable and that hope for the future exists. Suicide Prevention Information for Teens, Fifth Edition commences with statistical data regarding suicide rates in the United States. It delves into various risk factors associated with suicide, including bullying, access to lethal means, and obstacles to mental health care. Additionally, it examines mental health disorders and life-threatening behaviors that contribute to suicide risk, such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm, and eating disorders. The book offers guidance on recognizing warning signs of suicide and outlines commonly utilized treatments for suicidal thoughts, such as psychotherapy. It provides strategies for recovering from a suicide attempt and supporting someone in their recovery process. Furthermore, it addresses the bereavement and grief experienced by individuals affected by suicide loss and offers coping mechanisms for surviving such a loss. Practical approaches to suicide prevention are also discussed, along with a list of mental health apps for self-care and suicide prevention. The book concludes with a directory of resources for additional assistance and information. Part 1: Suicide Facts and Statistics provides information and statistics about the occurrence of suicide in the United States. Suicide clusters among various racial/ethnic groups is also discussed. It talks about various risk factors of suicide such as bullying, access to lethal means, and barriers to mental healthcare. The part concludes with facts on suicide among LGBT youth. Part 2: Psychiatric Disorders and Life-Threatening Behaviors Linked to Suicide Risk discusses the types of mental illness that have the highest risk for suicide, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also talks about other life-threatening behaviors such as alcohol or substance abuse, self-injury, and eating disorders that may increase the suicide risk. Part 3: Recognizing and Treating Suicidal Ideation explains how to identify suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and the warning signs that may precede a suicide attempt. It provides information about psychological treatments that are available for treating people with suicidal thoughts. Tips to take care of someone after a suicide attempt are also provided. Part 4: When Someone You Know Dies from Suicide explains how to survive a suicidal loss. It talks about the bereavement and grief often experienced by people left behind after a suicide. It offers suggestions for working through the grieving process and for supporting others who are grieving. Part 5: Preventing Suicide discusses important components of mental health and offers practical suggestions for helping someone cope up with stress. It discusses suicide as a preventable problem and identifies ways in which suicidal behaviors can be reduced. Part 6: If You Need More Information offers a list of mobile apps that can help to take care of mental health and prevent suicide. It