Teen Suicide: High Risk on Both Bullies and Victims - Doctors Urged to Routinely Screen Teenagers

According to American Academy of Pediatrics, suicide is the second- leading cause of death in U.S. adolescents. Doctors can at least minimize the risk on routine checkups while asking the right questions. Bullying and cyberbullying or spending an excessive amount of time on the internet could add up to the lists of teen suicides, not only victims are at risk but also bullies.

Reuters  reports in 2013, about 1,750 teens between 15 and 19 were reported committed suicide. But Dr. Benjamin Shain, head of child and adolescent psychiatry at North Shore University Health System, says that the number of teen suicide could be higher because most reports are ruled "accidental" when children take their own lives.

Not only doctors but also parents' active participation are necessary for recognizing the mounting stress in teenage life and warning signs of suicide, says Dr. Shain. For the record, teen girls are twice as likely to attempt suicide as boys. However, boys are three times more successful in their suicide attempts, as per 21alive.

Teen health checkups should include #suicide risk screening: study https://t.co/bEgC7CQPeE via @Globe_Health #mentalhealth

— André Picard (@picardonhealth) June 27, 2016

The AAP recently released treatment guidelines in screening teens, doctors would ask about mood disorders, sexual orientation, use of drugs and alcohol, suicidal thoughts, bullying, and other suicide risk factors as part of a routine conversation about medical history.

A former president of the American Association of Suicidology, Pam Cantor said that Cyberbullying is as serious as face-to-face bullying. She advised parents to check if their kids spend more than five hours on the internet and look for signs of eating disorders, moodiness, hostility, sleep problems, apathy, withdrawal and feelings of doom.

Teens feel their depression would never end. Thus, parents should be vigilant to talk to their kids and listen most often, not lecturing them. If there's a mounting concern, parents should stay with the child as they call for professional help, taking away items from the house and their sight that the teen could possibly use for a suicidal attempt.