Did You Know?

Suicide is the third most common cause of death among teenagers in the United States, just behind accidents or homicide? Males are more likely to be successful in their suicide attempt, but females are far more likely to make an attempt.

If you suspect your child or teenager has a mood disorder, contact a local mental health professional for further assessment. A child psychiatrist will be able to best evaluate your child's needs.

The most serious risk for teens with undiagnosed depression or bipolar disorder is suicide. Any indication that your child feels hopeless should serve as a warning sign. Comments such as "I wish I were dead," "Maybe I'll just kill myself and stop bother you," or "No one would even notice if I died," should not be simply written off as idle threats. It is better to have your child evaluated by a mental health professional than ignore these warning signs and find out the hard way that your teenager was serious about his or her suicidal intentions.