Sep 2, 2015 4 min read

It’s time for a vintage column in honor of our 10th year. I selected this column from the week of Sept. 10, 2006, since Suicide Prevention Week is approaching (Sept. 7 to 13).

Q.As a teenager, school years can be complicated and demanding. You are not sure who you are, what you want to be, or whether the choices you make from day to day are the best decisions. Sometimes, the many changes and pressures feel overwhelming. You can feel down and the pain seems unbearable, and it won’t go away. There are times when you feel that maybe you would be better off not around anymore. So how do you know if someone you care about is contemplating suicide and what sort of things can contribute to feeling this way? What can I do about it, and who should I tell?

Concerned Adult

A.Your email arrived at an excellent time. Suicide Prevention day is Sept. 10; I believe all adults should take the time to be aware of the signs of depression in adolescents.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – AACAP – (www.aacap.org) states that in America suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds. Adolescence can be a time of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, questions about sexual orientation and financial uncertainty. Parental divorce or even moving to a new community can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to depression; teen depression should not be ignored.

The AACAP lists the following teen warning signs for caring adults and parents:

• Change in eating and sleeping habits ;

• Withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities ;

• Violent actions, rebellious behavior or running away ;

• Drug and alcohol use ;

• Unusual neglect of personal appearance;

• Marked personality change ;

• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating or a decline in the quality of schoolwork ;

• Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. ;

• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities ;

• Not tolerating praise or rewards ;

A teen who is considering suicide may also:

• Complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside ;

• Give verbal hints with statements such as: I won’t be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, It’s no use, and I won’t see you again;

• Put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc. ;

• Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression

• Have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)

Please get help from a professional if you are concerned about a teen’s mental health. You can receive emergency services through the Washington County Behavioral Health Services Crisis Hotline at 1-877-225-3567.

Thanks for caring about young people.

Q.My friend is always sad. Once about a year ago he even said that he hated his life and thought that he’d be better off dead. So then I heard about this other kid who killed himself, and I started to wonder if my friend might be thinking about suicide, too. But then he didn’t do anything or nothing, and he hasn’t said stuff like that to me again. Should I worry about him?

14-year-old female

A.It’s wonderful that you’re a good friend, but please don’t try to take on the burden of your friend’s mental health alone. Please see my above response for warning signs of suicide and a local number to call for help. Please call me directly at 412-877-4906. While I don’t want you to worry, I do want to talk with you and seek help for your friend as soon as possible.

Peer Educator response:

We think that being concerned about your friend is a good thing, as long as you don’t become overly worried. Don’t try to handle his depression on your own. Talk with an adult you trust. Don’t ignore his behavior. Try to reassure him and cheer him up. Even though he hasn’t mentioned suicide for over a year, it’s a good idea to give him the message that suicide is not the answer.

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email at podmj@healthyteens.com.