Adults should heed teens' warning signs.

Suicide among teens is a troubling situation nationally as thousands of youngsters attempt to end their lives each year. As the number of attempted and completed suicides steadily has increased over the last 30 years, parents and educators must be aware of warning signs that can help prevent a death, insists Drew Velting, a psychological sciences professor, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.

"Adolescent suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens in the 15-19 age bracket and the fourth leading cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds. It is now a major health concern because we have about 2,000 teens taking their lives each year."

The signs that indicate a teen is having difficulty can be related to problems concerning relationships, discipline, exams, and family matters. The typical teen will suffer bouts of depression from any number of situations, he points out. "It is a very difficult time in their lives. They are growing up, encountering all sorts of problems. Many think that suicide is the only solution."

The profile for the average teen suicide is a white male who uses a firearm to kill himself. Males outnumber females five to one in the amount of completed suicides, while females are two times more likely to attempt suicide, often by using less lethal means such as drug or alcohol overdoses.

Many signs of suicide in adolescents overlap with symptoms of depression. Parents should be aware of the signs in teenagers who may try to kill themselves. Child and adolescent psychiatrists recommend that, if one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their offspring about their concerns and seek professional help...