Adolescent Suicide: A Crisis of Faith
One of the current issues of health and faith, which has reached crisis proportions in this country, is the crisis of suicide among adolescents. While teen-age depression is a serious health issue by itself suicide is the third leading cause of death among 13 –24 year olds. It is the sixth leading cause of death among all the 5-14 year olds. According to one poll, from 1980 to 1996 suicide among the 15-19 year old population increased by 14%, according to one poll. Among teens and pre teens between 10 – 14 years of age the suicide rate increased 100%. The factor that makes this so scary is the link between depression and suicide. Ninety percent of adolescent suicide victims have at least one active psychiatric illness at the time of death; most often that psychiatric illness is depression.
There has been an understanding in some of our religious traditions, at certain times in history, Christianity being one of those religions, that suicide is a sin. Those who commit suicide may not be worthy of empathy or understanding. Sometimes, out of fear or ignorance, or denial, a person hearing a teen talk about suicide may tell them sharply to get over it, not to feel so much self – pity or to think more of their blessings rather than their miseries. In today’s society we know, supported by the above-mentioned statistics, that teen suicide is a crisis, which challenges all of our society, even the community of faith.
One religious counselor, of the Christian tradition, observed that kids of his faith have the same problems, insecurities, and anxieties of kids without a faith or as do kids of other faiths. While he might have wished that the tenets and lifestyle of the Christian Faith would have been enough to support a kid he knew such that this teen would not have committed suicide that did not happen. This counselor did observe that there is never an excuse for the conditions in life, such as cruelty of teasing and hazing which kids can inflict on each other, even behaviors which adults practice, which are some of the reasons kids feel troubled. The truth is that the turn to suicide is the only way that this teen believes his or her pain can be relieved. The only way out becomes death.
On the other side of the coin new work in the study of spiritual and religious commitment shows some interesting effects of religious faith and suicidal concerns. A study of 525 adolescents found that religious commitment reduced the risk of suicide. Those who did a study of frequent church-goers with high spiritual support found that participants in this study produced very low scores on a standard depression screening inventory. Likewise, those high school students who were not frequent church attendees and little spiritual support were seen to have the highest rates of depression, at clinically significant levels.
These studies are not conclusive but they are hopeful. They support the ideas of religious beliefs about love, which can enhance self-esteem, and about moral accountability, which might reduce the appeal of self-destructive behavior. The religious community has a role to play in this current healthcare crisis. Here are some of the things, which can be done:
Obtain a copy of the video entitled “Adolescent Depression: Helping Depressed Teens”, from the Farmington Hills/Farmington Commission on Children, Youth and Families. View this with your congregation’s youth groups and youth group advisers. If you would like a religious/clinical professional to assist or be a part of this discussion call us at the Samaritan Counseling Center and one of our staff can arrange to work with you. (Phone: 248-474-4701)
Learn some of the reasons for teen suicide. Watch for actions, behaviors, other clues to link your child or a child you know to suicidal thoughts, a mental health condition or spiritual crisis, drug or alcohol abuse, access to firearms or situational stress. If there has been a previous suicide attempt by a youth or the youth knows a relative or good friend who has attempted of committed suicide take that seriously.
Learn the warning signs: among which might be feelings of sadness or loneliness or hopelessness, along with anxiety; declining school performance, loss of pleasure or interest in social and sports activities, changes in sleeping or eating.
If you notice something take action: get the help of a professional. If the crisis is imminent call a hotline, or crisis number for a hospital emergency room. Otherwise seek the help of a professional in a timely manner. (Often your congregational religious leader can give you advice. You can call us at Samaritan.) Support your child by listening, staying connected and not criticizing.
Train youth in how to help their friends, by learning behaviors that should be reported and are not being ratted upon. Encourage youth to have their friends speak to an adult that they can trust. Perhaps one youth will accompany the friend in crisis to a first meeting with a professional. When you know of someone contemplating suicide don’t handle it alone; find someone to work with you.
A later article in this series will offer suggestions for how to respond if a suicide has been completed. In the meantime learning about this crisis and knowing what to do about it is one of the most loving and pastoral acts members of the religious community can provide.
This article first appeared in the Farmington Observer.
Dr. Paul Melrose
