Sometimes teens will exhibit warning signs, indicating that they need help.

The existence of one or more of these warning signs does not necessarily mean that a teen is suicidal; the only way to know whether your child is thinking about suicide is to ask.

Attempts of suicide among young people tend to be based on long-standing problems, such as depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and a history of aggressive or disruptive behaviors, but may be triggered by a specific event.

Warning signs of suicide
Predicting suicide is difficult. The changes in behaviour outside the person's normal range of behaviour and which do not make sense to those close to them may be a warning sign.

Some warning signs of suicidal behavior in youth include:
• depressed mood;
• substance abuse;
• frequent episodes of running away or being incarcerated;
• family loss or instability, significant problems with parent;
• expressions of suicidal thoughts, or talk of death or the afterlife during moments of sadness or boredom;
• withdrawal from friends and family;
• difficulties in dealing with sexual orientation;
• no longer interested in or enjoying activities that once were pleasurable;
• unplanned pregnancy; and
• impulsive, aggressive behavior, frequent expressions of rage.

* Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
* Giving away prized possessions
* Problem behaviour and substance misuse
* Apathy in dress and appearance, or a sudden change in weight
* Sudden and striking personality changes
* Withdrawal from friends and social activities
* Increased ‘accident proneness’ and self harming behaviours.

This list isn’t definitive; some teens may show no signs and yet still feel suicidal. Others possibly exhibit many signs yet appear to be coping with their situation. Thus, the only way to know for sure is to ask.