Teen Suicide
Understanding, Treatment & Help

Bad days may look different to each of us, but the emotional responses we have are often very similar. We all know how to recognize a bad day, but do we all know how to recognize when that bad day turns into bad weeks, difficult months, or more? Can we recognize when what we’re feeling is really something more, such as symptoms of depression? With nearly 44 million Americans suffering from depression, it’s important to know that we’re not alone and that treatment for depression can be extremely effective.

Depression or suicidal thoughts can often manifest as profound, lasting sadness, but there are many ways that depression can present in our lives. With symptoms ranging from passive expression, such as persistent sadness to active expression, such as anger or irritability, and including seemingly unrelated conditions such as forgetfulness or lethargy, it can often be difficult to pinpoint what we’re feeling or to know when it’s time to seek treatment for depression.  Depression can also manifest in many ways, including suicide, bipolar depression, teen depression, postpartum depression, and other mood disorders.

In children and teens, suicidal ideation may include a preoccupation with death or coincide with a recent breakup of a relationship or loss. In adults, suicidal thoughts may be indicated by substance abuse or a change in the way they consume alcohol, a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors, and may be triggered by recent job loss, relationship change, or divorce. In older adults, the death of a partner or diagnosis of a life-limiting illness may bring about suicidal ideation.

Risk factors for suicide are increased when other conditions are concurrent, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety so it’s important to remain in tune with ourselves or our loved ones when experiencing these symptoms. Suicide help is always close by and readily accessible from Chicago Behavioral Hospital, a safe place where people will listen to you. You can receive a free assessment any time of day or night and on any day of the week. You are never alone and we’re always eager to help. It’s important to know that with caring, effective treatment, individuals who have struggled with suicidal thoughts are able to move through their darkness, gain coping mechanisms, and enjoy contented lives of purpose and value.