Suicide
Many young people feel depressed and/or overwhelmed by the pressures in their life. People who think about suicide, attempt or complete it, often want to find a way to end their pain. To get a better understanding of suicide, read this page and take our suicide awareness questionnaire. We’ve also given you info on what to do if you, a friend or a loved one is feeling suicidal. If you feel depressed or want to talk to someone about other options, call the Kids’ Helpline at 716-834-1144 or toll free at 1(877)KIDS-400.
National Youth Suicide Statistics
- Suicide ranks as the 3rd leading cause of death for young people nationally
- Eleven young people between the ages of 15 and 24 die every day by Suicide.
- The fastest growing age group for suicide is 10-14 years old.
- The majority of adolescents who die by suicide use a firearm.
- Three females attempt for each male attempt, however males are four times as likely to die from their attempts.
Suicide Awareness Questionnaire
Answer true or false to each. |
||
| True | False | |
| Suicide is not about death, it is about ending the pain. | ||
| The majority of completed suicides occur in gifted/ high achieving teens. | ||
| A youth or teen who suddenly exhibits a cheerful attitude after being depressed is no longer in imminent danger. | ||
| If a person truly wants to die by suicide, nothing can be done to stop it. | ||
| More girls than boys attempt suicide. | ||
| Teens who threaten or attempt suicide are only looking for attention. | ||
| Most teens who complete suicide use a firearm. | ||
| Friends shouldn’t do anything in a suicidal crisis-only professionals are qualified to help. | ||
| There is no correlation between substance abuse and suicide. | ||
What Should I Do If My Friend Or Loved One Is Suicidal?
- Let that person know that you are concerned about their well-being and have observed clues that make you think that they want to hurt themselves. Ask them if they are feeling depressed or suicidal.
- Stay calm and listen. More than likely, the person will be relieved that someone noticed their pain and will want to talk.
- Remember – you cannot make someone choose to live. You are not responsible for their life, however, you can support them and give them ideas about other choices.
- Remind this person that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
- Reassure him or her that many people think about suicide, but never actually do it.
- Be honest with the person. Let them know you want to call an adult to help them, and make the call in front of him or her.
Call 911 if you feel that their suicide threat is immediate.
Source: Teen Education and Crisis Hotline, 2002.
Where To Turn If You Are Feeling Suicidal:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, those who love you would rather you were safe and alive than to deal with the trauma of your ideations. Call the Kids’ Helpline at 716-834-1144 or toll free at 1(877)KIDS-400 to gain an objective, non-judgmental perspective on your situation. Begin to take care of yourself: make time for your favorite hobbies, spend time with friends who care, talk about your worries and troubles (either with your parent(s), guidance counselor, friends, relatives etc.), stay away from drugs, eat healthy foods and exercise (just to feel good).
If you feel that you may hurt yourself right away, call 911 or the National Hopeline at: 1-800-SUICIDE.
Depression & Suicide: Local Resources and Additional Resources & Links