Depression is the second leading cause of teen death, only after accidents. Every year, 250,000 teens attempt suicide, and 2,000 complete it. Since 1960, teen suicide has doubled. It is more likely that girls will attempt it, while statistics show that it is more often that boys actually kill themselves.
             Risk factors for suicide are drug abuse, social problems, delinquency, parental neglect, and families disrupted by death (commonly suicide), divorce, and abuse. Many teens have at least one risk factor for suicide, but two things are key, hopelessness, and the answer to the question "Have you ever felt that life isn't worth living?" When teens say that they have no hope for the future, and they can't see their life getting any better, suicide is a real possibility.
             Another reason many teens commit suicide, which has been overlooked until recently, is homosexuality. According to one estimate, as many as 30% of teens that commit suicide are gay.
             Depression in teens can be hard to spot. Their emotions fluctuate wildly, with major highs and lows daily, and the symptoms for teen depression aren't always the same as adult depression. Rather than the typical symptoms, withdrawal, helplessness, hopelessness, lethargy, unusual sleep patterns, and loss of joy in life, teens display intense irritability, angry outbursts, problems with school, and drug or alcohol abuse.
             Teen suicide can be prevented though. You can pay attention to your child's actions and hear what they say. If you suspect that suicide is a possibility, talk to your child about it, and get them to talk to someone. Also, by locking up and guns you may have in the house, to prevent suicide, as well as any accidents. If there are any other teen suicides in the community, talk to your child immediately about it. Sometimes one teen suicide can trigger another.
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