NCJ Number
101699
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1986) Pages: 16-21
Date Published
1986
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article is designed to aid police officers in identifying suicidal adolescents and connecting them with suicidal adolescents and connecting them with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, adolescent suicides have tripled to become the third leading cause of death among those 15 to 24 years old. Factors common among suicidal younsters include family problems, loneliness, depression, inordinate stress, feelings of rejection, and lack of self-esteem. Compared to attempted suicides, committed suicides tend to show greater psychiatric hospitalizations, more emotional disturbance, fewer prior suicide attempts, and less overt stress. In general, five differing personality types or categories of suicidal youth can be identified: (1) the loner who is socially isolated and lacks social skills, (2) the acting-out depressive, (3) the crisis suicide who is responding to a precipitating, traumatic event, (4) the psychotic suicide, and (5) the youth for whom suicidal behavior represents an attempt at communication. Warning signals of potential suicide may include personality changes, loss of interest, guilt feelings, hyperactivity, hopelessness and helplessness, and drug or alcohol abuse. Often giving the distressed child attention, affection and an opportunity to communicate can prove preventive. Other resources for suicidal youngsters include school counseling, crisis hotlines, suicide prevention programs, and therapy. 10 footnotes.