During depression the world disappears. Language itself. One has nothing to say. Nothing. Kristin experienced this misery, yet still managed to touch many lives and even in death continues to help others find help for their depression.
A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
Sleeping too little, early morning awakening or sleeping too much
Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Restlessness or irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy
Thoughts of death or suicide
K E Y S Y M P T O M S O F D E P R E S S I O N
Mental Illness
90% of adolescent suicide victims have at least one diagnosable, active psychiatric illness at the time of death (most often depression, substance abuse, and conduct disorders). Only 15% of suicide victims were in treatment at the time of death.
Previous Attempts
Between 26% and 33% of adolescent suicide victims have made a previous suicide attempt.
Stressors
Suicide in youth often occurs after the victim has gotten into some sort of trouble or has experienced a recent disappointment, rejection, or academic pressure.
Firearms
Having a firearm in the home greatly increases the risk of youth suicide. 64% of suicide victims 10-24 years old use a firearm to complete the act.
Source: JED FOUNDATION
R I S K F A C T O R S
Source: JED FOUNDATION
NATIONAL CRISIS HOTLINE
Links callers to local crisis centers
1-800-SUICIDE
Teen Suicide
Prevention and Crisis Hotline
1-800-999-9999
Doctors who prescribe some popular antidepressants should monitor their patients closely for warning signs of suicide, especially when they first start the pills or change a dose, the federal government warned Monday, March 22, 2004.
The FDA is advising consumers and health care providers of new safety information regarding the prescription anti-acne drug ACCUTANE (isotretinoin) and isolated reports of depression, psychosis and rarely ~ suicidal thoughts and actions.
If you are in crisis and want to speak with someone, please call 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433) immediately. Your call will be connected to a certified crisis center closest to your calling location which is staffed twenty four hours a day, seven days a week by highly trained crisis line workers.
Feelings of suicide are not chosen. Suicidal thoughts and feelings usually occur when one’s experience of psychological pain exceeds one’s resources for coping with it. Suicidal thoughts, feelings and impulses are most often due to untreated or under treated clinical depression. Fortunately, depression responds very well to treatment and suicide is now preventable. Please take time now to get professional help.
You can locate additional mental health services in your telephone directory under services provided by your county government, or under individual listings for mental health services, crisis intervention services, suicide prevention services, etc. In addition, you can ask your family physician for a referral to a mental health professional or inquire as to whether your local hospital provides mental health services.
You can end your emotional pain without ending your life. Remember, help is just a phone call away!
A college student’s suicide is a tragedy that devastates not only the surviving family and close friends but the student’s entire campus community. The Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit organization, was born from one such tragedy following the loss of Jed Satow, a college sophomore. Jed died by suicide without anyone fully understanding that his life was in imminent danger. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding Jed’s death are not unique; each year, approximately 1,100 college students die by suicide, the majority of whom were not in treatment with a mental health professional at the time of their death. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from all medical illnesses combined. However, suicide can be prevented. The Jed Foundation is committed to reducing the young adult suicide rate by furthering understanding of the underlying causes of suicide, by increasing awareness of the issue of college student mental health and suicide, and by creating effective prevention programs on college campuses. Since its inception in 2000, The Jed Foundation has become the leading organization focusing exclusively on college student mental health and suicide prevention.
Please consider linking to this webpage in support of broadening public awareness and reaching out to youth and others who may be in urgent need of suicide intervention and prevention resources and support. Thank You.
It is not uncommon for teenagers to develop problems with their mental health. National statistics show that 1 in every 5 teens has some type of mental health problem in any given year. The problems range from mild to severe. Fortunately, research shows that effective treatments are available to help them find their way out of the darkness. If you are a teenager suffering from some or all of the depressive symptoms described below, please talk to a responsible adult. Do not be afraid or ashamed. It's these kinds of thoughts and feeling that will only prevent you from taking the first steps toward getting the help you need to feel better about yourself and your future.
An internet-based group that offers friendship, support, information and a safe place for parents to discuss their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Founded by a mother who lost a daughter to suicide, GP has been very effective in reaching out to bereaved parents and helping them to "find their way" after the death of a child. In addition, GP offers a forum for parents to share and honor the life of a son or daughter in positive ways.
Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) is a national
non-profit self-help group that offers support, understanding, compassion and hope especially to the newly bereaved -- be they bereaved parents , grandparents or siblings struggling to rebuild their lives after the death of their children, grandchildren or siblings. Click Here to Locate a Chapter Near You.
Provides a place for people to place the names of deceased loved ones so that their names will not be forgotten.
Death touches us all.
When we are young, and someone dies, the impact is huge. Teen Grief is a safe place for teens to express and share when someone close to them has died.
