Assessing And Monitoring Risk Of Suicide In Adolescents Essay Example

indicators of depression and are linked to various additional risks. The manifestations of severe depression can vary among individuals.

Both teenagers and adults may exhibit similar signs of depression, such as feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, irritability, weakness, and emptiness. In more severe cases of teenage depression, physical symptoms and ethical concerns may arise. It is crucial for teenagers to seek help if they experience recurring problems like weight loss, chest pain, dizziness, or headaches. Moral dilemmas such as skipping school, substance abuse, or engaging in self-destructive behavior can indicate underlying depression.

An effective method to evaluate the likelihood of depression is to take into account the family's background.

When a child witnesses another family member attempting suicide, they may start seeing it as the best solution for their own issues. Interacting with children from these families can be challenging because they tend to be more withdrawn.

In addition, they might also feel angry or irritable.

The prevalence of mental or emotional illnesses is higher in Western countries than in Asian countries.

Socio-economic challenges like poverty, discrimination, or limited employment opportunities also contribute. The poor living conditions of the child's family become a significant factor in their upbringing.

Experiencing a significant amount of violence in society can cause long-term effects on individuals, leading to psychological and behavioral issues.

Teenagers may resort to self-destructive behaviors due to recurring feelings of hopelessness, feeling like they have let down their loved ones and considering suicide as their only option.

Approaches

The availability of firearms at home increases the chances of teenagers attempting suicide, accounting for around 60 percent of cases in the United States. The misuse and overdose of non-prescription drugs are also frequently employed methods for committing

suicide.

Many people use sedative-hypnotic medication, and countries with a high number of bars are indirectly linked to suicidal cases. The majority of individuals who attempt suicide while battling alcoholism tend to be older men. It is estimated that around 34 percent of heroin users experience suicide rates. Moreover, smoking cigarettes is also connected to these occurrences.

Although there is not enough evidence to confirm this connection, it has been suggested that people who are inclined to smoke might also be prone to committing suicide. Smoking can cause health issues that may trigger thoughts of self-harm and affect brain function, ultimately raising the likelihood of engaging in destructive actions.

Teenagers in schools may engage in medication exchange activities, while children who watch television frequently might be more likely to imitate suicidal behaviors. In addition, cases of bactericide poisoning, which is a common practice in China, are also reported. The morbidity of suicidal technique is a significant risk factor for completed suicide (Park).

Factors contributing to teenage suicidal thoughts

Teenagers who have mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, or insomnia, are more prone to thinking about suicide. Moreover, adolescents experience major life changes like parental divorce and financial instability.

Epidemiology of suicide rates

There is variability in the rates of suicide among males and females.

While boys have these thoughts more often, they are at a greater risk of death by suicide due to their tendency to use riskier methods such as jumping from heights or using firearms. Female suicides are prevalent in China, and the rates of suicide in the East Mediterranean regions are also concerning. Those whose gender identity does not align with their assigned sex face an elevated risk.

Social and Culture

The acceptance of suicide varies between Western and Muslim countries. While it is generally tolerated in most Western countries, it remains illegal in most Muslim countries. In the past, suicide was considered unacceptable in India, resulting in legal difficulties for survivors. Within Christianity, suicide is regarded as a sin often associated with mental disorders.

Recommendations for parents:

1. Parents should be attentive to the presence of medications at home.
2. Ensure that firearms are unloaded and kept out of children's sight.
3. Parents should be familiar with warning signs that may indicate potential suicidal thoughts in teenagers such as changes in eating habits, loss of interest in activities, and discussions about death.
4. Neglecting a child's need for attention can exacerbate suicidal tendencies.
5. An open line of communication between parents and children is crucial as it cultivates love, care, and support.
6. Parents can directly inquire if their children have any doubts or concerns. Although challenging, this helps parents understand their child's thought process.

If a child is not forthcoming, parents can seek guidance from close family members.If a parent discovers that their child is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important for them to seek help from a psychiatrist or mental health professional. A thorough psychiatric evaluation plays a crucial role in preventing teenage suicide by identifying indicators of despair, including suicidal behavior. The level of support that pediatricians can offer these teenagers relies on their comprehension and familiarity with the subject. Additionally, convenient access to relevant community resources is vital. (AAP News & Journals)

All teenagers who have thoughts of suicide need to know that their plea for help is acknowledged. Pediatricians are advocates who are always prepared to assist. There is no evidence suggesting that asking

about suicide triggers the behavior. The appropriate way to inquire about suicidal concerns is by using the following questions:

To evaluate the risk of suicide, pediatricians should ask individuals if they have ever considered taking their own life because of depression. If they have, doctors should also inquire about past attempts and how they were made. Additionally, it is important to assess coping resources and available support systems during this evaluation. It is promising to witness other nations adopting strategies aimed at preventing suicide, which demonstrates proactive governmental actions toward addressing this problem.

Conclusion

To decrease the incidence of suicide, we can apply the aforementioned suggestions and resolutions.

The increased presence of technology is expected to lead to an increase in suicidal ideation among teenagers. This can mainly be attributed to the introduction of new elements brought about by technology that were not present in previous years. The influence of social media is especially significant, as it enables individuals to easily create false personas and portray luxurious lifestyles. As a result, adolescents who become aware of this phenomenon may feel disheartened and unhappy when comparing their own lives with those of others.

Parents and health institutions have a crucial role in the development of children, and it is imperative for them to provide continuous support to teenagers in order to establish a strong connection.

Works Cited

1. AAP News & Journals. "Suicide adn Suicide Attempts in Adolescents." AAP News & Journals (2000).
2. Hawton, Keith, Kate EA Saunders, and Rory C. O'Connor. "Self-harm and suicide in adolescents." The Lancet (2012): 2373-2382.
3. Mann, J. John, Alan Apter, Jose Bertolote, Annette Beautrais, Dianne Currier, Ann Haas, Ulrich Hegerl. "Suicide prevention strategies: a systematic review." Jama (2005): 2064-2074.
4. Mustanski,
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T. Liu.

"A longitudinal study of predictors of suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth." Archives of sexual behavior (2013): 437-448.
"Increased use of lethal methods and annual increase of suicide rates in Korean adolescents: comparison with adolescents in the United States." Journal of child psychology and psychiatry (2014): 258-263.