BY JOHN JOHNSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A suicide occurs every 17 minutes in this country, on average. It's the third-leading cause of death among people ages 15-24. And in that age group, the estimated ratio of suicide attempts to suicides is 100 to 1.
Lisa Firestone knows the statistics well. What's more, the clinical psychologist and research director of the non-profit Glendon Association in Santa Barbara, Calif., works to lessen the problem by conducting workshops around the country.
The Family/Professional Resource Center of Children's Hospital Medical Center brings her to Cincinnati Thursday to speak on "Youth Suicide and Violence: What Families Need to Know." On Friday, she'll lead an all-day program for professionals.
QUESTION:
What trends are occurring in suicide among young people?
A: The rate has increased more than 200 percent (for ages 15-24) in the last 30 years, but has leveled off in recent years. It's still rising for children age 5-14. We're also seeing an ongoing rise for adolescent African-American males.
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IF YOU GO
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What: Dr. Lisa Firestone speaks on "Youth Suicide and Violence: What Families Need to Know."
When: 7-9 p.m. Thursday..
Where: Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Cost: $10. Parking is free in the hospital's visitor lot.
Miscellaneous: For information about Friday's all-day program for professionals, downtown, call 636-6732.
Information: 636-4806.
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Q: Any other trends?
A: Young people, in particular, use more guns. The increase in adolescent suicide occurred in tandem with the increase in gun ownership in this country. There are usually four or more guns in the home of an adolescent who commits suicide. The problem with gun suicide is there's no time to intervene, and there's no time for the person to change his mind.
So is suicide an impulsive act?
A: Moreso in teen-agers than in adults, but it's not that the person hasn't thought about it. They've had this plan in mind, and often rather obsessively think about details of this plan. But taking action on the suicidal feelings is an impulse. They're in an ambivalent state.
What are some warning signs?
A: Taking excessive risks. Sudden changes in mood and behavior. Giving away favorite possessions. If they cared about a sport, and they stop caring, or if they used to care about their appearance, and stop paying attention to that. When they're giving up things that used to really matter to them . . . then we've got to worry.
What may be underlying that behavior?
A: In late adolescence, a lot of the heavy-duty psychiatric disorders start to manifest themselves; the ones most associated with suicide are depression and manic depression. One way parents can notice these things is changes in sleep patterns. With depression, a person may go to sleep, but wake up early in the morning and can't go back to sleep; or they're sleeping all day and don't want to get out of bed.
How often is depression mistaken for teen moodiness?
A: A lot of depression goes undiagnosed in teen-agers. We think, well, that's just adolescent behavior. We need to compare and contrast. If your adolescent is down in the dumps, but when his best friend calls and wants to do something, all of a sudden he jumps up and does it, he's probably not depressed.
Besides watching for warning signs, what can people do?
A: Most people who commit suicide confide their plan to somebody. Adolescents usually confide in a friend or sibling, not a parent or teacher. It's real important that we get the message to adolescents (who suspect a friend might commit suicide) that they need to tell somebody. The (suicidal) friend may be angry at first, but will thank them in the long run.
What can parents do if they suspect a problem?
A: It's important to open up the issue, to say, "I'm concerned." Just like with the peer, you want to try to move this person to get help. Ask direct questions, and pay attention to your gut reaction to the answers. A lot of people try to talk the person out of it; the problem is, the person feels like you're just not hearing them. Let them talk about it, but (include) the idea that there's hope. Depression is temporary. It's very treatable.
