How can
I tell if a teen is at risk?
Ask
the following questions to help determine the risk level:
1.
Have you been sad or unhappy?
A "yes" confirms the person has been feeling
some depression.
2.
Do you ever feel hopeless or does it seem as if things will never get
better?
"Yes" indicates feelings of hopelessness,
which often accompany suicidal thoughts.
3.
Do you have thoughts of death?
"Yes" indicates suicidal wishes, but not
necessarily suicidal plans. Many depressed people say they'd be better
off dead and wish they'd die in their sleep or get killed in an accident.
However, most of them say they have no intention of killing themselves.
4.
Do you ever have any actual suicidal impulses or any urge to kill yourself?
If yes, ask about their specific plans. What method
have they chosen-hanging, pills, a gun? Do they have the rope, the pills
or the gun?
5.
Have you determined when you will kill yourself?
If they plan to do it soon, the danger is grave.
6.
Is there anything holding you back, such as family or religious convictions?
If they say no, that people would be better off
without them, and if they have no other deterrents, suicide is much more
likely.
7.
Have you ever made a suicide attempt in the past?
Past attempts practically guarantee future attempts.
Suicidal gestures can be more dangerous than they seem, since many of
these people ultimately do kill themselves. Take all suicide attempts
seriously.
8.
Would you be willing to talk to someone or seek help?
If yes, determine to whom they should talk. If the
suicidal person is cooperative and has a clear plan to reach out for help,
the danger is less than if the person is stubborn, secretive, hostile
and unwilling to get help.
