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© 2008 Covenant House • PRIVACY STATEMENT • SITE MAP • JOBS • OUR LOCATIONS

Why am I suicidal?

There are many reasons why teenagers become suicidal. They include everything from stress to the loss of someone they love.

If you or someone you know is considering solving these or other problems through suicide – it’s best to seek help. Suffering these feelings alone can only make them worse, and make problems seem insurmountable.

Knowing that you are not alone can help you deal with the problems and the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

1. Feelings of loneliness, helplessness, hopelessness and depression Many things can make you feel this way:

• Loss of someone you love (the breakup, separation or death of a boyfriend/girlfriend, family member, friend, pet)
  
• Loss of self-esteem (poor school performance; physical, sexual or psychological abuse)
  
• Physical changes (having to wear glasses, braces, or a cast; your changing body)
  
• Change in your family (new step-parent; a parent who suddenly goes to work after having been home all of the time)
  
• Change in your living situation (moving; running away from home; becoming homeless)

2. The chronic mental illness, depression or suicide of a friend or family member

Most teenagers look up to their friends and family members. If you have a chronically mentally ill or seriously depressed friend, parent or other family member, you might find yourself overwhelmed and frightened by their behavior and begin to behave that way yourself.

3. Family changes

Teenagers rely on their families a lot as they grow into adults themselves. You may feel lost or confused by an unstable family. Perhaps your family moves so much that you have to adjust to new schools and friends. Or perhaps your parents have granted you too much independence and you feel you’re not ready to make all your own decisions just yet. If your family structure changes suddenly – through separation, divorce, the absence or death of a parent – you might feel a sudden change in your outlook on life.

4. Stress, fear of failure and the pressure to succeed

Being a teenager is an extremely stressful time for many kids. Your physical growth, sexuality, pressures of relationships, school and more can lead to so much stress you feel you just can’t cope. The pressure to succeed at home or school can also lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. Some kids snap under the intense pressure and are embarrassed when they think they’ve failed. Many kids experience seemingly overwhelming problems – simply because they’ve had little experience handling stress. They may doubt their ability to survive a particular crisis and choose suicide as a way out.

5. Drugs And Alcohol

Drugs or alcohol are involved in 70% of all teen suicides. Abuse of these substances affects your judgment and can exaggerate bad feelings. For most people who are feeling anxious, depressed, angry or hopeless, drinking or taking drugs to excess only makes them feel worse.