e epidemiology of suicide, the Task Force on Life and the Law has provided an excellent resource called When Death is Sought. Although this online book deals primarily with euthanasia, it gives some valuable information about suicide in general.Warning SignsThe Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (SA/VE) Website lists the following danger signs: Talking or joking about suicide. Statements about being reunited with a deceased loved one. Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness. Example: "Life is useless." "Everyone would be better off without me." "It doesn't matter. I won't be around much longer anyway." "I wish I could just disappear." Preoccupation with death. Example: recurrent death themes in music, literature, or drawings. Writing letters or leaving notes referring to death or "the end". Suddenly happier or calmer. Loss of interest in things one cares about. Unusual visiting or calling people one cares about - saying their good-byes. Giving possessions away, making arrangements, setting one's affairs in order. Self-destructive behavior (alcohol/drug abuse, self-injury or mutilation, promiscuity). Risk-taking behavior (reckless driving/excessive speeding, carelessness around bridges, cliffs or balconies, or walking in front of traffic). Having several accidents resulting in injury. Close calls or brushes with death. Obsession with guns or knives. TreatmentsThe person who is depressed enough to be thinking of suicide needs immediate professional help. Do not feel afraid to bring up the topic with your teen. Ask questions about their plans. Those who are passively suicidal or have only vague ideas of wanting to die should still be taken very seriously and arrangements made for them to see a psychiatrist. If your teen seems in immediate danger of a suicide attempt, call 911 or your local emergency room and ask for assistance. Because medication and therapy take some time to become effective, it m...
