It is often said that teenagers are very impulsive and may act without thinking. This is a vital factor which leads to increased suicidal tendencies among the teenagers in our country. They often resort to taking their own lives instead of thinking about facing the challenges and tackling the problems. Boys or girls, who decide to end their lives for trivial reasons like restrictions on use of smart phones, can be seen as beings with feeble mind who cannot handle emotions with patience and a calm mind.
Most parents are eager to provide their children the best things and experience in life. They are even ready to spend huge amount of money to make sure that their children get the best and tops in everything. However, all these may make the teenagers restless and they wouldn’t acquire the ability to patiently pursue their dreams and aspirations.
What triggers suicidal tendency?
It has been observed that the teenagers who have tried to end their lives have exhibited mental disorders that have been ignored or untreated. Here are some of the common factors that often lead to suicidal tendencies among teenagers:
» Depression, alcoholism and drug addiction
» Internet and gaming addiction
» Early suicide attempts
» Low self esteem
» Pessimistic about future
» Family members may have committed suicide
» Bullied at school or at home
» Problems between parents
» Isolation
» Lack of good friends
» Failure in examinations
» Heart breaks
» Unable to suffer remorse
Some of the symptoms
» Talking often about death or suicide.
» Giving indications that they may not be around for a long time.
» Hinting in conversations that they have lost all hope in life.
» Being isolated from friends and family.
» Posting messages or poems on the social media platforms about death or regrets.
» Handing their precious objects to friends or siblings.
» Exhibiting insomnia or lack of hunger.
» Losing interest in things that they have earlier been passionate about.
» Lack of interest to go to school.
» Indulging in dangerous or life-threatening activities like over speeding.
What parents need to do?
It is important to understand that all kids who contemplate suicide may not actually commit it. However, necessary preventive measures should be ensured if they are someone who over-reacts for everything that happens in his/her life. In most cases, the first attempt may not lead to the death of the person. Extra care should be taken if your kid had tried to commit suicide in the past.
Teenagers may exhibit symptoms of depression like sadness, disappointment, anger, impatience, lack of interest in studies or being isolated from friends. These symptoms should be taken seriously and ensure timely medical assistance. Some may mistake the child constantly talking about death as his/her attempt to grab the parents’ attention. Things may backfire if parents, instead of hearing out their children's problem with the seriousness it deserves, brush it off or scold them.
If the children find it difficult to talk to their parents, the assistance of a psychiatrist could be sought. Some may assume that they need not continue with the treatment as they may be experiencing a temporary relief or mental calmness. However, they may relapse as soon as they experience a new problem in life. Suicidal tendencies can be prevented only if teenagers are made to understand how problems in life can be faced with clamness and composure.
(The writer is a clinical psychologist at the Pushpagiri Medical College. Email: priyavarghese.cp@gmail.com. Phone - 8281933323)
