According American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (ASFP) in the United States alone, suicide is the third leading cause of death among fifteen to twenty-four-year-olds and the fifth leading cause of death among five to fourteen-year-olds. These are startling statistics and these statistics make it easy to see why this is a subject of great importance. The number of suicides among children and adolescents are frequently underreported. Others may only identify a death as a suicide if there is conclusive medical evidence and suicide note is present.
Many risk factors may be overlooked as normal teenage behavior, which at times may cause these risk factors to go undetected. Impulsiveness, depression, anxiety and alcohol and drug use are some …show more content…
Decreased support from an adolescent’s family may lead to increased risk for suicidal behavior. Family dysfunction, including divorce, and a family history of mood or psychiatric disorders also are linked to an increased risk for suicide. Environmental factors for adolescent suicide include the access to means with which to attempt or complete a suicide, including access to potentially lethal weapons, such as guns and knives. Exposure to suicide, for example local suicide outbreaks, is also linked to a higher risk of suicide. Previous suicide attempts are perhaps the greatest indicators of future suicidal behaviors. Suicidal ideation is another strong indicator of future suicidal behaviors; however, not all suicides are preceded by suicidal ideations. Additionally, feelings of hopelessness, aggression or disruptive disorders, illness, internalization of problems, isolation and low self-esteem are also risk factors for suicide. Sexual orientation has also been linked to higher rates of suicidal behaviors in …show more content…
It is important for nurses of appropriate screenings for these patients, including talking to them about suicide and listening closely to how they respond. The patient needs to be asked about previous suicide attempts, history of depression, and recent and current alcohol and illegal substance use. Screening and assessment of these patients needs to include asking them about how often suicidal ideations occur, whether or not they have a plan for their suicide and if they have access to the means to carry out the plan. It is also important to ask about their perceived support systems to better understand what potential resources might be needed to assist them in the future. There are many resources available when discussing adolescent suicide and indicates that there is a need for continued research in the area of suicide among children. Suicide among any age group is very challenging for family, peers and communities to deal with and seems to be more so when an adolescent or child commits
Many risk factors may be overlooked as normal teenage behavior, which at times may cause these risk factors to go undetected. Impulsiveness, depression, anxiety and alcohol and drug use are some …show more content…
Decreased support from an adolescent’s family may lead to increased risk for suicidal behavior. Family dysfunction, including divorce, and a family history of mood or psychiatric disorders also are linked to an increased risk for suicide. Environmental factors for adolescent suicide include the access to means with which to attempt or complete a suicide, including access to potentially lethal weapons, such as guns and knives. Exposure to suicide, for example local suicide outbreaks, is also linked to a higher risk of suicide. Previous suicide attempts are perhaps the greatest indicators of future suicidal behaviors. Suicidal ideation is another strong indicator of future suicidal behaviors; however, not all suicides are preceded by suicidal ideations. Additionally, feelings of hopelessness, aggression or disruptive disorders, illness, internalization of problems, isolation and low self-esteem are also risk factors for suicide. Sexual orientation has also been linked to higher rates of suicidal behaviors in …show more content…
It is important for nurses of appropriate screenings for these patients, including talking to them about suicide and listening closely to how they respond. The patient needs to be asked about previous suicide attempts, history of depression, and recent and current alcohol and illegal substance use. Screening and assessment of these patients needs to include asking them about how often suicidal ideations occur, whether or not they have a plan for their suicide and if they have access to the means to carry out the plan. It is also important to ask about their perceived support systems to better understand what potential resources might be needed to assist them in the future. There are many resources available when discussing adolescent suicide and indicates that there is a need for continued research in the area of suicide among children. Suicide among any age group is very challenging for family, peers and communities to deal with and seems to be more so when an adolescent or child commits