Teen suicide awareness: Rogers' expert shares risk factors

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By Peggy Scallon, MD, DFAPA, DFAACAP, psychiatrist, medical director, Focus Depression Recovery Adolescent Residential Care

Depression, anxiety, and youth suicide prevention

Studies show depression and anxiety among teens have increased dramatically over the past few years. Adding to the concern - more than half of teens with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment.

Social isolation is a big contributor to depression in youth. After COVID, a lot of kids didn’t return to their normal activities. Some struggled with going back to school and some didn’t make it back to school.

Depression and anxiety can sometimes lead to feelings of hopelessness. The biggest thing to be aware of is if someone talks about suicide, people should listen. That means they’re taking the concern seriously. Sometimes a person considering suicide will post on social media or disclose in a passive way. Teens should be encouraged to pass those messages on to a trusted adult and not hold that in secrecy, even if their friend asks them to.

Causes of suicide in teens and children

One of the risk factors for teen suicide is self-harm, such as cutting or burning the skin. They feel so distressed, it changes their mood state temporarily. Much of the time they’re not intending to end their lives, but kids who self-harm are also at risk of suicidality.

Other signs of suicide in teens include:

• Decline in schoolwork, not attending school
• Not managing hygiene
• Not engaging in age-appropriate activities
• Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
• Increased irritability
• Previous suicide attempt(s)

What parents and caregivers can do to support teen suicide prevention

Parents and caregivers need to maintain openness and dialogue with their child, pay attention to their child’s cues and be available to them. If there seems to be an immediate risk that the teen may attempt suicide, loved ones should take them to the nearest hospital emergency room.

If suicide doesn’t appear to be imminent, but parents and caregivers are concerned about their teen’s behavior, consider seeking a behavioral health screening through the child’s physician.  

Rogers offers mental health services for children and teens

Rogers’ team of compassionate experts is here to help. Inpatient and residential treatment are available in Wisconsin, in addition to PHP and IOP in communities nationwide. To get started, call 800-767-4411 for a free, confidential screening. Help is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.