Some statistics on suicide in youth
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“Every 100 minutes, a teenager dies by
suicide in America.”*
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“Suicide is the third leading cause of death
among 15-24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for
5-14 year olds.”*
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“Nearly one in five children have depression,
anxiety or other mental health issues.”*
Depression has a strong link to suicide and
suicide attempts/gestures. It is important to identify if
depression is present in children and youth. Please consider a
medical evaluation and talk with your doctor about your concerns.
Do not stop talking until all of your concerns have been addressed.
The Sedgwick County Community also has many mental health providers
that can diagnose depression and other mood disorders. Providers of
services can be found in the yellow pages or you are invited to
review the Community Resource list on this site.
Signs of Child Depression may include the following:
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Anger and aggressive or destructive behavior
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Disobedience that is continual
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Being self-critical or low self-esteem
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Sleeping problems or Eating problems
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Physical complaints including headaches,
stomachaches, dizziness and other body aches that do not have a
medical reason.
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Becoming easily frustrated or crying
frequently
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Constant worrying or fearfulness, having
panic attacks or being excessively clingy.
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Talking about or attempting suicide
Signs or symptoms of Adolescents/Teens:
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Losing interest in activities that were
previously enjoyed
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Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
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Change of energy level such as being tired a
lot OR being agitated or restless
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School difficulties and falling grades
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Being excessively self-critical
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Cutting on self or other self-injurious acts
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Chronically worries or fearful
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Becoming pre-occupied with death (death
themes in music, drawings, literature).
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Physical symptoms such as headaches,
dizziness, stomachaches or other muscle tension that does not have
a medical cause.
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Anger that is uncontrollable or outbursts of
rage
Substance use is associated with mood disorders and suicide
Use of alcohol/other substances to control
moods—Twelve to 16 year old girls who were current drinkers were
four times more likely than their nondrinking peers to suffer
depression.
18% of suicides by children ages 9-15 could be
attributed to alcohol.
Using a national school sample, a study
reported that suicide attempts among heavy-drinking adolescents were
three to four times greater than among abstainers. (Prevention
Alert Vol. 5 #17 12-13-02) Alcohol is a depressant.
Other sources:
*National Mental Health Association in Virginia, Suicide Awareness
Voices of Education (SAVE), Dianne & Dr. Robert Hales-Parade
Magazine, May 2002, and the Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task
Force Educational Materials.
©, Copyright, 2004 Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Taskforce
last update:
02/13/09
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