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Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic

Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic

What can you do if your teen is thinking about suicide? How can you even know? Meet a teenage girl who has attempted suicide three times. She describes in chilling detail what drove her to try to kill herself, and joins her doctor in providing practical suggestions that parents can use to detect and prevent suicidal behavior in their children.

Guests:    

  • Alec L. Miller, PsyD - Adolescent Depression & Suicide Program, Montefiore Medical Center
  • Amanda Pellicier - Survived Suicide Attempts

Guests Credentials:

Alec L. Miller, PsyD

  • Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Montefiore Medical Center
  • Director, Adolescent Depression and Suicide Program, Montefiore Medical Center

Tips:

Warning Signs

  • Sadness or down mood
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Talk of suicide or death
    • "I wish I were never born"
    • "I wish I were dead"
    • "I won't need this anymore"
    • "My parents won't have to worry about me anymore"
    • "Everyone would be better off if I were dead"
    • "Nobody cares if I live or die"  
  • Change in appetite
  • Giving away possessions
  • Sudden change of mood
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Impulsive or risk-taking behaviors
  • Deterioration of school performance
  • Social isolation or withdrawal

Ways to Help

  • Be direct - Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide. Bringing up the subject will not make things worse.  
  • Don't be shocked - That will put distance between you.
  • Be willing to listen - Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings  
  • Be non-judgmental - Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture about the value of life.  
  • Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance
  • Don't dare him to do it  
  • Don't be sworn to secrecy - This is very important, especially for teens trying to help teens and for adults who see danger signs in other people's children.  
  • Take Action - Remove means, such as guns or stockpiling pills.  
  • Get professional help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

 

Resources:

Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000
Hearing Impaired 
1-800-448-1833
http://www.boystown.org/

Nineline Hotline - Covenant House
1-800-999-9999
http://www.covenanthouse.org/

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
202-966-7300
http://www.aacap.org/

National Institute of Mental Health
301-443-4513
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
702-524-7600
NAMI Helpline 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
http://www.nami.org/

PBS
http://www.pbs.org/


If you or someone you know has specific health issues related to children and would like to suggest them as topics for the show, please click here.