Recognizing when your teenager needs professional treatment for suicidal thoughts is critical for preventing tragedy. While all mentions of suicide should be taken seriously, understanding when to seek intensive treatment helps parents make appropriate decisions. This article helps parents identify when treatment for suicidal teen is necessary.
Suicidal thoughts refer to an individual thinking about the act of ending their life. This occurs on a spectrum, ranging from general abstractions to specific details or even talk of suicide. Suicidal ideation refers to thinking about and even formulating a suicide plan. It is a strong early warning sign for suicidal acts.
Passive suicidal ideation refers to having loose thoughts and plans for suicide. Active suicidal ideation refers to creating a detailed plan and a determination to act on these plans. It can include determining a time and date or a method of suicide. Active suicidal ideation is the more severe and dangerous form of the problem.
Warning signs that indicate a need for professional help include talking about dying, feelings of guilt or shame, social withdrawal, extreme mood swings, changes to appetite, changes to sleep schedules, and drug or alcohol use. There will likely be an abrupt change in your son or daughter’s overall mood and behaviors.
Risk factors that indicate a lingering problem include previous suicide attempts, depression, and poor coping skills. Previous suicide attempts are one of the most common risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. If your teen has previously attempted suicide, it is vital to seek out a professional treatment program as soon as possible.
Teen depression, along with other mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD, can be strong signals that your teen may be struggling. If left untreated, these problems can exacerbate, leading to more severe symptoms and may even cause a teen to begin to contemplate suicide.
Poor and negative coping skills, such as drug or alcohol abuse, are clear signs that your teen is struggling mentally and does not know how to deal with these emotions and disruptive thoughts. If you do not seek out professional help, these negative coping mechanisms will only make the problem worse.
Reports show that nearly one-third of high school female students reported seriously considering suicide, while 14.3 percent of high school male students reported these thoughts. These statistics highlight the importance of taking all warning signs seriously.
If your teen is struggling with suicidal ideation, it is vital to seek out the help of a professional. Therapists and teen residential treatment programs can help your son or daughter work through these thoughts as well as address the underlying causes of this problem.
Treatment involves reconstructing unhealthy thoughts with something more productive while also addressing the underlying mental health conditions causing these problems. Treatment modalities may include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy, and family therapy. Holistic approaches like meditation, mindfulness exercises, equine therapy, and art and music therapy may also be part of the treatment plan.
Do not wait for the situation to improve on its own. If you recognize warning signs and risk factors in your teenager, seek professional help immediately. Early intervention can save lives.