Teen Suicide Warning Signs

For the first time ever, suicide has passed homicide as a leading cause of death for young people in the United States.
Parkland Hospital is raising the alarm for parents.
In May of 2015, Parkland launched a suicide screening program to identify those struggling with thoughts of suicide and need help.
Since then, they have screened more than 67,000 patients between the ages of 12 and 17. Approximately 2.8 percent of them were found to have a potential suicide risk. That's more than 1,800 patients.

The following are common warning signs of potential suicide risk in adolescents to watch for:

• Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, as well as preoccupation with death in conversation, writing or drawing
• Increased alcohol and drug use
• Aggressive or hostile behavior
• Social withdrawal from friends, family, school activities and the community
• Dramatic mood swings or personality change, such as from upbeat to quiet
• Giving away belongings
• Impulsive or reckless behavior
• Feeling excessively sad or low
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
• Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
• Changes in school performance
• Running away from home
• An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance or neglecting personal appearance

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Parkland’s Victim Intervention Program/Rape Crisis Center offers a 24-hour Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline at 214-590-0430.

Source: Watching for Suicide Warning Signs in Kids - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Watching-for-Suicide-Warnings-in-Kids-448035883.html#ixzz4uMvUHzGS

Teen Suicide Warning Signs

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