Teen Suicide Pathfinder

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers (New, 2010). Teenagers are more likely to contemplate suicide when a mental disorder is present, such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Family members and friends need to pay attention for warning signs, including talk of death and giving away their person personal possessions. The risk of suicide increases when external circumstances overwhelm the teenager and causes them to view suicide as the only option available (APA). Risk factors for suicide include mental illness, family stress, environmental risks, and traumatic situations (NASP). Resiliency factors are factors in the environment that supports the teen and lessens their suicidal risk factors. These factors include familial and religious support, psychological care, and learning problem-solving skills. Teens that are feeling suicidal should not be isolated; they need a support group of friends and family to help them through their emotional crisis (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Treatment should be considered, whether it is therapy or medication.

If you are looking for information about suicide, whether your goal is to prevent it or to learn about it, they should try checking for books in their local library. Libraries are often well-stocked with books about medical disorders and mental illnesses. For information about suicide in a public library, the Dewey Decimal number that would help you to locate a book is 362.28. The Dewey Decimal number specifically for teen suicide is 362.280835. If you are looking for information in a college or school library, the Library of Congress Number is HV6546.  The library recognized subject heading for the topic of teen suicide is “Teenagers—Suicidal Behavior” (Library of Congress). Acceptable variants are “teen suicide” and “teenage suicide.”

The librarians are available for more than the helping people locate books. If you need to talk to someone about rough situations in your life, your librarian would take the time to listen if you simply asked for help. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your librarian, then you should find someone that you can talk to comfortably. You can find help at the library, whether it is the opportunity to escape into the world of books or the friendship available there. Programs are offered at the library for teenagers and one benefit of attending such a program is finding new friends.

If you are doing research on teen suicide, I suggest starting with the materials on this list. Sites for medical organizations are usually trustworthy and give the information needed concisely. When searching for information on a topic, make sure that the site that you choose has the resources used listed.

Resources

APA. (n.d.). Teen suicide is preventable. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/research/action/suicide.aspx

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Teenagers--suicidal behavior. Retrieved from http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh91005161.html

Mayo Clinic. (2013, April 24). Teen suicide: What parents need to know. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-suicide/MY02347

NASP. (n.d.). Preventing youth suicide--tips for parents and educators. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicideprevention.aspx

New, M. (2010, January). About teen suicide. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html

Teen Suicide Digital Pathfinder Websites and Books

Websites

American Psychological Association: Teen Suicide is Preventable

http://www.apa.org/research/action/suicide.aspx

This site is a reliable source of information about teen suicide. It contains information about statistics relating to teen suicide and the signs that a person is contemplating suicide. It also lists what a friend can do to help, such as telling an adult or having their friend call a suicide crisis hotline.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Preparing for a Crisis

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=urgent_preparing_for_crisis&gclid=CKzOzpDQv7kCFZKk4AodHSsAzQ

This site is important because it states what a teen should do if he or she is feeling suicidal. There are suggested steps to take to get through the suicidal thoughts and depression. It also suggests how you should prepare for a future crisis. There is information about how to talk to someone that is experiencing a suicidal crisis.

KidsHealth: About Teen Suicide

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html

This page is meant to inform parents about teen suicide, but is useful for teenagers as well. It lists statistics for teen suicide and contains information about the difference in attempts between boys and girls. The site lists risks that cause a teen to be more likely to contemplate suicide. It lists warning signs and what family members can do to help.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Teenage Suicide

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Teenage_Suicide.htm

According to this site, most people who consider committing suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder. It provides facts about teen suicide and the treatments available. It also offers suggestions of how friends and family members can help their loved one overcome their suicidal tendencies.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

This whole website is an important resource when researching suicide. There is information about getting help for yourself or someone that you know. There are pages about bullying, mental health, and coping techniques. Several fact sheets are available here from different organizations about suicide.

Preventing Youth Suicide—Tips for Parents and Educators

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicideprevention.aspx

This resource states the role of the school environment in suicide prevention and the importance of keeping parents informed about their teen’s suicidal thoughts.  It also lists risks factors, warning signs, resiliency factors, and what to do to help a teen who has suicidal thoughts.

Teen Suicide: What Parents Need to Know

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-suicide/MY02347

Though the title of the page says that it is for parents, the information is beneficial for teenagers as well. The site addresses what makes teens consider suicide and what can be done to help. It includes the role that medication, such as antidepressants, can play in helping suicidal teens.

Web MD: Preventing Teen Suicide

http://teens.webmd.com/preventing-teen-suicide

Web MD explores the relationship between depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in teenagers. It also addresses the importance of reducing an at-risk teen’s exposure to suicidal methods. The site states what to do if someone that you know threatens to commit suicide and what factors reduce the risk of suicide.

Yellow Ribbon: Suicide Prevention Program

http://www.yellowribbon.org/

While I listed the main link for the Yellow Ribbon site, I would really like to point out the page titled “For Teens.” The page addresses what to do if a teenager is considering suicide. There are links to helpful sites, such as TeenHelp.org, where teens can discuss their problems and concerns in a forum and can seek help anonymously. There are also suggested coping strategies that you can perform if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Books

One in Thirteen: The Silent Epidemic of Teen Suicide by Jessica Portner

In this book, Jessica Portner addresses the statistics relating to suicide and how it can be prevented. She points out the relationship between environmental stressors, mental disorders, and suicide rates. Portner discusses the reasons and methods of suicide and gives the stories of people who have attempted suicide or who succeeded in committing suicide in the past. She warns of the importance of preparing for a suicidal crisis in the home, the schools, and the community. The Dewey Decimal call number is 362.28.

Teen Suicide, edited by Tamara L. Roleff (At Issue series)

The various authors that compiled this book list the risk factors that may lead to suicidal thoughts in teens and address the relationship between homosexuality, bullying, and suicide. They point out that the availability of the methods of suicide, such as guns, can encourage a teenager to attempt suicide. The authors also point out the correlation between suicide and other at-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse and abortion.  This book is a compilation of essays that show opposing viewpoints about the risk factors of suicide.  The Dewey Decimal call number is 362.28.

When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain

Cobain explains how teenage depression can lead to suicide and gives a list of symptoms so that teens may recognize depression in themselves. She mentions self-help, therapy, and medications that can help a teen overcome their depression and suicidal thoughts. The Dewey Decimal call number for this book is 616.8527.

Teen Suicide Digital Pathfinder Blogs and Videos

Blogs

Awareness: Bullying and Teen Suicide

http://tyljmor.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/awareness-bullying-and-teen-suicide/

The author of this blog post discusses the relationship between bullying and teen suicide. They encourage an anti-bullying program that would potentially lead to lower suicide rates. Tyljmor offers suggestions for how to find help, including the listing of a suicide prevention hotline.

For Suicide Prevention Day: Alone in the Dark

http://mindincolor.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/for-suicide-prevention-day-alone-in-the-dark/

Bipolargen lists statistics for suicide and points out recent news dealing with bullying and suicide worldwide. The author mentions their own experiences with mental illness and suicidal thoughts and encourages teens to seek help. They give suggestions of how the community, friends, and family members can help when someone they know is having suicidal thoughts. This is an important tool because it can give teens an idea of how to help those around them who are suicidal.

Suicidal Teens Reach Out Through Social Media

http://nmgrads.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/suicidal-teens-reach-out-through-social-media/

The author, New Mexico Grads, states that research shows that teens often mention their suicidal thoughts online. They list suggestions of what to do if someone that you know mentions suicide on a social networking site, such as Facebook. Several social media sites have safety teams that a person can contact anonymously and methods to contact those safety teams are helpfully listed in this blog entry.

Videos

For Those Considering Suicide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqqIV8x82Qc

This video offers suggestions of how to deal with the negative emotions that may lead teenagers to consider suicide. It states that talking to others, someone that you trust, can help and alerts others that you are on a dangerous path. It states that another disorder that led to the suicidal thoughts may be present and lists statistics of the likelihood of coexisting disorders. This video targets those that are thinking about suicide and works to change their minds. It also lists resources for information and how to find help.

Teen Suicide Prevention

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BByqa7bhto

This video would be beneficial for anyone who is considering suicide. It offers other options while addressing the parents and the friends of the depressed teenager. The teenagers in the video list the warning signs of someone who is thinking about committing suicide and offers suggestions of how to reach the person.