Apr 26, 2017 3 min read

The topic of suicide has permeated my conversations with parents and young people since the series “13 Reasons Why” was released. Here is a vintage column on suicide from Sept. 10, 2006. I also will host an educational discussion called “13 Reasons Why Teens Matter” at 6 p.m. Monday, May 15, at my office (410 N. Main St., Washington).

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 better off not being 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

Mary Jo response: 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 like 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.

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