Talking about suicide can feel scary. But new data has found one in three Australian teenagers have thought about, planned or attempted suicide in the last 12 months – so starting the conversation is crucial.
The report, released on Tuesday by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, found female teens were more likely (38%) than males (31%) to report suicidal thoughts and behaviours. These peaked for both at 16–17 years old.
For girls these experiences begin to decline after 17. But for boys they either stayed the same or, in the case of planning, continued to increase between 17 and 19.
Worryingly, for some (9% of males and 6% of females) a suicide attempt did not always involve prior thinking or planning.
But there can be warning signs.
If you’re concerned about your teenager, or you notice changes in how they’re talking or behaving, it’s best to speak up. You might worry it will make things worse, but research confirms there is no harm and can actually help. Asking directly and listening without judgement lets your teen know they’re not alone.
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Signs your teen might be struggling
Suicidal thoughts can be difficult to spot, but there are things you can look for. These include:
“You don’t seem like yourself right now. I care about you – is it okay if we talk?”
Give them space to talk. Don’t interrupt or try to fix things straight away. Just listen and thank them for trusting you if they open up.
How to ask about suicide and why it matters
This is the hardest part, but it’s also the most important. If you’re really worried, ask directly:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Have you thought about ending your life?”
Avoid saying things like “You’re not thinking about doing something silly, are you?” This can feel dismissive or judgmental.
If they say yes, try to understand more:
“Do you have a plan for how you would end your life?”
“Have you thought about when or how you would end your life?”
“Have you done anything to prepare?”
People who have a plan are usually at the highest immediate risk of suicide. These questions can help you assess how serious things are and whether to seek assistance from emergency services.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
If you’re worried your teen is in immediate danger – for example, if they have a plan and intend to act on it – call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
Let them know you love them and that there is hope. Stay with them until help arrives.
At the emergency department, a mental health worker will assess your child and may speak with you both together and separately. They may recommend admission, but more often your child will go home with a treatment plan and a handover for your GP. They may also arrange for a community-based follow up.
If your teen refuses to go in an ambulance, you can contact the local Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) through your closest public hospital. This is sometimes called the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET).
These teams involve mental health professionals who can assess the risk and decide how best to support your teen. This may be a home visit or a stay in hospital.
If they’re not in immediate danger, take your teen to a GP, who can create a mental health treatment plan and refer them to a specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
There can be long wait times for a specialist appointment. While you wait, you may want to ask your GP to help develop a plan with practical strategies. Or you can visit a walk-in Medicare mental health centre, which provides immediate, free, short and medium-term care. You can also access free and immediate support from the organisations listed below.
It’s also a good idea to work together on a safety plan – a step-by-step guide for what to do if the thoughts come back. Free tools such as the Beyond Now app can help them create and share this plan.
Don’t forget to look after yourself
Supporting a child with suicidal thoughts is incredibly hard and feeling scared, exhausted or helpless is normal.
