Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, and the sixth-leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

"That a teenager could be so unbearably unhappy that he would choose to kill himself is something that's almost too painful for a parent to examine," Dr. David Pruitt said. "But with the increasing prevalence of teen suicide, no parent can afford to ignore the possibility."

Pruitt, author of the book "Your Adolescent," is a member of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

"A natural quality inherent in good parenting is trying to figure out how we can keep our kids safe, be it from automobile accidents or mental or physical

illnesses," Pruitt said. "We try to do that by monitoring their behavior at home and school, and staying connected and involved, and trusting that they can and have learned the valuable lessons to survive adversity."

Connectedness to family, friends and school has a protective quality in teenagers, he said, but "connectedness will not protect all kids."

Unfortunately there is a subgroup that shows no signs and symptoms of the impulsive suicide act, he said.

"Early identification and access to help is the best way to reach out to children and adolescents at a very vulnerable time in their lives," said Sally Fiehrer, director of the Butler County National Alliance on Mental Illness.

A recent conference sponsored by the NAMI of Butler County and of Ohio, "Children and Adolescents/Promoting Mental Wellness," was designed to promote mental wellness through mood disorder recognition, crisis management and treatment access.

Before the mid-1970s, suicide by adolescents appeared to be a rare event; in recent years, studies have shown one out of 10 teens contemplates suicide at some time, and nearly a half-million teens make a suicide attempt each year.

"Indeed, the actual rate of death by suicide may be higher, because some of these deaths have been incorrectly labeled accidents," Pruitt said.

Signs to look for in a teen who may be contemplating suicide include a change in eating and sleeping habits; withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities; violent and rebellious behavior; neglect of personal appearance; marked personality change; a decline in the quality of schoolwork; frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions; loss of interest in pleasurable activities; talk or writing about death; giving or throwing away important belongings.

"Parents need to talk to their teen and then to determine if outside help is needed," he said.

Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders.

"There is no specific characteristic for a teen on the verge of suicide," Pruitt said. "The ability to monitor our children at home and at school is the challenge we face. Keeping our children safe is a humbling aspect we parents must face as we allow them to grow in autonomy and independence."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.