Suicide Prevention for Teens

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24. The rates vary with some demographics, and individuals in certain communities such as LGBTQ+ and certain racial groups are more likely to experience increased suicidal ideation.

There are multiple risk factors of suicide. Among the most common are a history of mental illness; sexual, physical, or mental trauma; substance use; access to lethal means; and previous suicide attempts. Protective factors that help prevent suicide include effective access to care, supportive family and friends, effective problem-solving and stress-management skills, cultural beliefs that discourage suicide and promote preservation, and a sense of purpose.

A major developmental task for adolescents is to develop a sense of identity and belonging in a peer group. The extent to which a teen feels connected and valued within a peer group may affect their overall sense of mental health and subsequent thoughts about suicide.

Suicide prevention is about minimizing the risk factors while reinforcing or creating protective factors. Certain protective factors are systemic (i.e., access to mental health care), while other protective factors—like connecting with and being there to listen to teens about their struggles—are specific to the individual.

Some tips to consider when talking with teens about suicide:

• Be clear about what is confidential and what you must report to higher authorities when having a conversation about suicide.
• Have a non-judgmental stance when having a conversation with the teen.
• Try to listen more and talk less.

Scouting America uses theto provide a framework to help adult leaders and peers approach talking to teens about mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) issues:

U — Understand the behaviors to watch for. Pay attention when someone’s normal behaviors begin to change. This may suggest a Scout is struggling with a MESH issue, including stress, anxiety, or depression. Recognition is the first step to helping them.

S — Speak to them and support them. Approach the Scout in a calm, caring manner and offer to help. Listen without judgment, normalize the idea of seeking help, and involve adult leaders, health officers, or parents when appropriate.

A — Advocate and act. If the Scout is just having a bad day, then speaking with them, supporting them, and following up with them may be all that is needed. However, if the Scout is expressing thoughts of self-harm or harming others, it is critical that you follow your council’s established procedures for responding to this significant MESH challenge. Advocate for the Scout by ensuring they are connected to the right resources—or professional help if the situation escalates.

Coping skills to help with stress, anxiety, or negative emotions include exercise, squeezing ice cubes in your hand to shift focus, journaling, using positive self-talk, or deep breathing. Scouting America has an online resource to provide instruction on breathing techniques: scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/mindful-breathing/.

Suicide prevention strategies include (but are not limited to):

• Training and education
• Restricting access to means of suicide
• Providing access to health and social services
• Raising awareness
• Crisis intervention
• Enhanced care/follow-up for individuals with a history of suicide attempts
• Encouraging media to have a sober, non-glorified approach to reporting about suicide

Suicide prevention strategies must operate at multiple levels—national, regional, and local—using various institutions to include national and local governments, health care institutions at both the national, local, and individual levels, and leveraging the resources from multiple partners to include private industry and non-profit organizations.

Resources:

1. org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/mental-emotional-and-social-health/
2. org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/mindful-breathing/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS). National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (gov/injury/wisqars)
4. Van der Feltz-Cornelis, et al. Best Practice Elements of Multilevel Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Review of Systematic Reviews. Crisis 2011; Vol 32(6): 319-333. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21945840/)
5. Suicide prevention hotline (988) (org)
6. Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (org)