HealtyDayS

At times teens may feel hopeless, and believe that they have no future. These stresses may lead young people to attempt to kill themselves. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for teens and young adults. Parents should be aware of the warning signs of suicide which include:
* changes in personality, grades at school or in circle of friends,
* depression or sadness because of a loss of parent, relative or friend,
* fear of failure in school or at work,
* giving away of personal possessions,
* preoccupation with death, and
* unnatural fear of disasters like nuclear war, violence or AIDS.

Staying involved in your teen’s life will allow you to notice any of these signs should they occur. Teens may hear of other teen suicides and copy the act. If you are worried about a teen, and if you think they may be considering suicide, don’t be afraid to ask them directly. This will not cause them to consider suicide if they had not previously. If they are thinking about it, they may tell you. You can then get immediate help for them. If they deny thinking about suicide, but you are still concerned, most areas offer counseling over the phone to people in distress. Call a hot line, your healthcare provider, or your local mental health center. Do not ignore the signs, you may have just one chance to prevent suicide.