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|  Someone, somewhere, commits suicide every 18 minutes. Recently released statistics reveal that approximately three million youths, aged 12 to 17, either thought seriously about suicide or attempted suicide in 2000. More than one third, 37 percent, actually tried to kill themselves.
What are the warning signs? 1. A previous suicide attempt, even if it seemed staged or designed to get attention, or boasts of past or secret suicide attempts.
2. Talking about being dead or wishing they were dead, how others would be happier if he/she were dead or how much better off others will be when he/she is gone. 3. Repeatedly engaging in very risky or dangerous thrill seeking behavior.
4. "Getting the house in order" - making plans for the care of loved siblings, parents, relatives or pets and giving away cherished belongings to close friends.
5. Extreme mood swings; very depressed episodes followed by happy episodes with no clear reason for the change.
6. Refusal to accept praise or compliments - sometimes met with rash anger or manic sadness. Regular expressions of worthlessness, helplessness, sadness and/or lonliness.
7. Changes in weight, sleeping habits, and physical activity. 8. Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities that once gave the person pleasure or a sense of identity.
| | “ Teens might want to commit suicide because they have low self-esteem. Also, they might have been abused by someone. My advise to anyone who wants to commit suicide is to keep your head up because you have your whole life ahead of you. There are people in your life that care about you even though you think that they don’t.” Brittany age 15, Pueblo Pueblo Suicide Prevention Center: 719-544-1133 Teen Hotline 719-564-5566 The teen helpline was established in 1991 by The Pueblo Suicide Prevention Center, with the philosophy of "Teens Helping Teens." When teens are not available, the calls are forwarded into the 24 hour Adult Helpline so your call will always be answered. Girls and Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000 24- hour crisis hotline resource and referral line Call to Talk to a Counselor We can help teens and parents with suicide prevention, depression, school issues, parenting troubles, runaways, relationship problems, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, chemical dependency, anger and much more. You are NOT alone. Get Help!!!
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| What is suicide? "Suicide is the action of intentionally ending one's life.” What are the statistics on teen suicide? Suicide is an issue that is hard to face and understand. Year after year, rates of teen suicide escalate. This is an issue that we can't ignore. Suicide Statistics: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 years of age, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide. Over 5,000 young Americans commit suicide every year. Pueblo County Suicide Death Rate in Teens 15-19 years of age: 7 teens The measure is the rate of suicide deaths per 100,000 teenagers aged 15-19 for 1996-2000. How can you help save a peers life? Always take suicide threats seriously!!! Talk openly and honestly to the person and let him/her know you are there to help. Get involved: Try and understand what the person's fears are. Ask the person what is important to him/her. Give them your undivided attention and listen with your heart. Don't blame the person for his/her problems. Be a good listener and a good friend. Don't feel guilty about being disloyal to your friend. Contact someone you trust and seek help for this person. Kommon Ground is a program of JOURNEYS, Inc. Child Placement Services, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. www.journeyscps.org Copyright 2008 |
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