Who is at greatest risk of suicide?

No one is 100% immune to mental health conditions that can raise the risk of suicide.

People who are experiencing depression are at risk for suicide.  It can come with general depression,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder.  It can come with a number of other
mental health conditions.

Teens and young adults can experience emotions with greater intensity since their brain is not fully
developed until the mid-20’s and may have difficulty regulating their thoughts and feelings within a
range they can tolerate.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness

There is suicide help available for teens who are having suicidal thoughts. Suicide support can take the
form of a suicide prevention hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline runs a network of suicide
hotline crisis centers. Moreover, they provide information about taking suicide precautions.

In addition, many organizations work to decrease stigma around teen depression and suicidal ideation.
Newport Academy partners with To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit dedicated to finding help and
hope for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month every September is an opportunity for mental health and youth
organizations to share resources and stories that help bring these topics out into the open. Ultimately,
such efforts are designed to help teens understand that they are not alone.

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Suicide and Teen Depression

Suicide can be the tragic result of untreated depression. According to the National Institute of Mental
Health, 20 percent of American youth will experience some degree of teen depression. Thus, treatment for
depression is a vital factor in suicide prevention.

With suicidal depression, different forms of individual therapy contribute toward sustainable healing.
Furthermore, such treatment is also essential for suicide survivors.

 Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is specifically designed to address depression and

the risk of teen suicide, by repairing ruptured relationships between parents and teens. As a result, young
people feel safe enough to turn to their parents when they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) brings clarity to what a teen is thinking and feeling. CBT
identifies the emotions that often result in a sense of isolation. Consequently, it identifies the self-defeating
thoughts and assumptions that make life more difficult. CBT provides valuable insight for the depressed
teen.

 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provides specific skills like mindfulness and emotional
regulation. These skills can be used right away and become stronger with practice.

 Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) leads to transformation and healing. This therapy

helps teens make positive choices. MET helps resolve any initial resistance to treatment.

 Experiential modalities, such as art therapy and music therapy, give teens ways to process their
emotions through self-expression and body-based practices.

 Additionally, developing positive coping and for managing stress can help protect teens against
suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.

 Additionally, developing positive coping and relaxation skills for managing stress can help protect
teens against suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
Read “Tips for Teen Stress Relief.”

In conclusion, teen suicide is preventable. The cure is awareness, knowledge, and access to resources.
As individuals and a society, we must do everything we can to reverse the current adolescent mental
health crisis and its accompanying suicide trends.