Adolescent Suicide: Aggression Turned Inward (From Violence in American Schools: A Practical Guide for Counselors, P 269-284, 2000, Daya Singh Sandhu and Cheryl Blalock Aspy, eds. -- See NCJ-185486)

• NCJ Number: 185502
• Author(s): Jeannine R. Studer
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: American Counseling Assoc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Approximately 5,000 teenagers commit suicide each year, averaging about 14 completions with about 65 suicide attempts each day, and suicide is ranked as a leading cause of death in the adolescent population.

Abstract

Researchers have studied suicidal risk factors of young people and have reported numerous affective, cognitive, behavioral, and situational factors associated with adolescent suicide. Parenting and family issues, poor problem-solving strategies, psychopathological considerations, and hopelessness are linked to this public concern. Running away from home, experiencing multiple stressors, and knowing a suicide attempter or completer are also characteristics of suicidal adolescents. Moreover, gender, identity issues, learning concerns such as giftedness or learning disabilities, and a real or a perceived loss may also be responsible for adolescent suicide. Because adolescents often feel uncomfortable about revealing their self-destructive thoughts, particularly if they believe such disclosure will be met with ridicule or scorn, an assessment protocol is suggested that emphasizes specificity, timing of the last suicide attempt, rescue, external locus of control, skill deficits, and support system. Adolescent suicide intervention and prevention strategies are discussed, including cognitive therapy, social skills management (assertiveness, active listening, and relaxation), and family intervention. A suicide assessment checklist is appended. 34 references