Troubled Teens Resources

Teen crisis intervention is imperative when a teenager takes their life. In many instances teen suicide can reverberate across a small community of teens, sometimes triggering “copy cat” suicides. Because teen depression tends to be dismissed by many parents, the symptoms are not always recognized.

Teens at risk for suicide will start withdrawing from their family, perhaps start listening to music that has dark overtones and lyrics. Teens at risk for suicide sometimes also experiment with self-harm activities such as cutting themselves or burning themselves with cigarettes.

Seek professional counseling if you feel that your troubled teenagers are exhibiting worrisome behavior.

• The teen may threaten suicide, either directly or indirectly.
• The teen seems obsessed with death.
• Themes of death or depression permeate the teen’s conversation, writing, reading or artwork.
• The teen seems constantly bored or world-weary, has poor concentration, shows declining quality of schoolwork.
• There are dramatic changes in personality, appearance or behavior.
• The teen demonstrates aggressive, rebellious and/or disobedient behavior.
• The teen suffers an overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection.
• The teen frequently complains about stomachaches, headaches, fatigue or other physical symptoms often linked to emotions.
• The teen changes eating or sleeping patterns.
• There are signs of excessive substance use.
• The teen has suffered a recent, significant loss such as the death of a parent or friend.
• The person is frequently absent from work or school.
• The teen shows an inability to carry out the normal tasks of daily life.
• The teen may become sexually promiscuous.

(Source)