There is always hope: Suicide isn’t the answer to depression, trauma

Published Sept. 16, 2011
By Nancy Nolin
Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Professional literature clearly points to the fact that there are certain factors that protect or build resilience in youth (and adults) against suicide.

According to Fuller, McGraw and Goodyear, "The factors that protect young people against suicidal behavior include social support and their relationships with family and peers, as well as a broad repertoire of coping, help-seeking and problem-solving skills.
"Social connectedness is the strongest antidote to suicide that we know. Young people who are resilient have stronger connections to school, family and peers, and young people with those links are less likely to develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors."

It is interesting to note that these same resilience factors are also positively associated with reducing the level of problematic substance abuse in young people and reducing the incidence of depression and delinquent behaviors.

Furthermore, a 2009 State of Alaska Plan, addressing the reduction and prevention of underage drinking, discovered that similar factors reduce teen drinking.

These protective factors include connection to family, positive connections to other adults, social, emotional and employability skills; connection to school, engagement in meaningful activities and a sense of cultural identity.

But when someone you love is having difficulties in life, identifying troubling behaviors can be quite concerning.

It's important for parents to reach out to their community to find the resources to support and enhance their efforts in promoting protective factors for their children.
Parental monitoring of youth is vital in identifying when problems are starting to occur and when interventions need to happen.

Daily monitoring can include asking a teenager about their school day and encouraging conversations about what "went well during the day."

Since adolescence is also a time when youth tend to close down and not communicate as much with parents, it is important for the parent to gain insight by touching base with a youth's teachers and coaches for regular updates.

This secondary monitoring can be helpful in gaining information about how their child is interacting with others, if their child is feeling confident about what they are achieving or if they appear to be struggling socially or academically.

Parents are encouraged to be aware of suicidal symptoms and risk factors and are encouraged to seek out support if they have concerns about behaviors that they may be identifying ina loved one.

In 2007, suicide was the third-leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Many of the symptoms are similar for depression and suicidal risk.

Changes in behavior can be indicative of a person struggling with his feelings.
Some of these changes can be slow and gradual making it difficult to recognize.
It is important to recognize changes in behavior, like mood (irritability, inability to concentrate, angry outbursts or impulsivity).

Eating patterns may change - like eating all the time or hardly ever. Sleeping patterns may also change, to sleeping too much or far too little.

School or work attendance may suffer - like a loss of interest in school and school activities. There may be a sudden loss of interest in hygiene or taking care of oneself.
Other symptoms may include violence, running away, and complaints of physical pain such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue or lack of energy and a sense of hopelessness.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's "Facts for Families: Teen Suicide," a person planning to commit suicide may complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside.

They may also give verbal hints like "I won't be around much longer," or "nothing matters."

They may start putting affairs in order by giving away their favorite possessions or throwing away important belongings.

One of the risk factors mentioned earlier is abuse of drugs or alcohol.

Substance abuse can affect the chemical balance in the brain, which can intensify feelings of depression and sadness.

Dependency on drugs, both legal and illegal, can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness as well.

Parents, family members and other adults need to be able to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse.

Some of the indicators of alcohol and drug use can include new friends (often of questionable character); increased secretiveness; pulling back from family and friends; paying less attention to appearance and hygiene; dropping school grades and attendance issues; and lack of interest in extracurricular activities that were previously important.

There are many symptoms and behaviors that are similar for both mental health issues and substance abuse issues, as well as normal behaviors and struggles.

When a parent recognizes risk factors or signs and symptoms of depression, sadness and substance abuse, it is important to involve professionals who can conduct an assessment to determine if mental health services or substance abuse services are indicated.

It's also vital for parents, schools and other youth groups to work together to identify areas of concern regarding troubling behaviors while also creating atmospheres that promote resilience and positive healthy relationships.

One resource available to military families and military communities is the Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Services program at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
ASACS counselors are licensed therapists and certified addiction specialists, with experience working with youth and adolescents.

Assessment and counseling services are free to all military ID-card holding youth in grades 6 through 12 or equivalent home schooling grades.

Parents can request a confidential assessment and receive services that address prevention, early intervention and outpatient treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.
Services are provided through individual, group and family counseling.

Additional free services are provided in the community and through JBER's Family Advocacy program - activities and classes that teach life skills such as coping with deployments, social-skill development and problem-solving and decision-making skills.
For more information, email nancy.nolin@us.army.mil or call 384-0134. For Family Advocacy, call 384-6717.