3-10-09

Childhood Suicide

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among teens and preteens and the number seems to be increasing in recent years.

About 90,000 teens worldwide commit suicide each year and there are about four million suicide attempts.  Dr. Stephen Soltys, professor and chair of psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains a common cause of suicide.

SOUND BITE:  “. . . most typically it is because they are suffering from a biological depression that has not been diagnosed or treated.  About 3½ percent of all teens have a severe major depression.  About another 3½ percent will have a chronic long-lasting depression.  So you have the depression occurring and then you have a stressor . . . The youth, because they are depressed, sees the situation as though their life is over or that they can’t stand the loss of self-esteem any further and tries to harm themselves.”

Dr. Soltys says more females attempt suicide, but more males are likely to complete a suicide attempt.  He explains some warning signs that parents should watch for to help prevent suicide.

SOUND BITE:   “. . . a marked change of behavior.  Oftentimes there is a sudden drop in grades, sudden loss of interest in activities that they previously found enjoyable.  So they were participating in sports and suddenly stopped participating.  And they start complaining that nothing seems enjoyable.  They may have a change of appetite.  They may become more irritable.”

Dr. Soltys says it is very important to recognize when a teen is depressed and seek treatment from a primary care physician or mental health counselor as soon as possible.  The most effective treatment may include counseling or psychotherapy combined with medication.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.