a young woman suffering from Suicidal Ideation needing a Teen suicide prevention programUnderstanding Teenage Suicidal Ideation

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents over the age of 12. Suicidal ideation, also known as suicidal thoughts, describes thoughts, fantasies, ideas, or images related to committing suicide. For teens, thoughts of suicide can range from fleeting notions of suicide to making actual plans to end their life.

You want your child to live their life to the fullest — not cut it short. Learn more about how you can help your child through the teen suicide prevention program at Ascend. If you want more information about the causes of suicidal ideation and potential warning signs, Ascend can help.

Causes Of Adolescent Suicidal Ideation

 Adolescence is a period riddled with change. In addition to physical changes and puberty, teens also face new challenges as they transition from middle school to high school. The increased peer and academic pressure of the upper-level school system, coupled with the pressure of social media presence and image, can be devastating. Because of the changes your teen is undergoing during this period of adolescence, all of their emotional and behavioral problems tend to increase

While teens are experiencing this enormous intensification of their emotional states, the emotional coping skills that are needed to support these changes are often left underdeveloped. This leaves teenagers vulnerable, and they’re now prone to increased feelings of self-hatred, poor judgment, and emotion-focused coping. At Ascend Healthcare, our teen suicide prevention program deals specifically with these issues and works with your teen to minimize their impact. For some teens, suicidal ideation treatment is exactly what they need to overcome this unpredictable time in their lives.

Suicidal Ideation Warning Signs & Symptoms

Four out of five teens who commit suicide give clear warning signs of suicidal ideation including:

  • Talking about suicide
  • Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Deepening depression
  • Preoccupation with death
  • Out of character behavior
  • Loss of interest in normal hobbies
  • Making arrangements for the afterlife

Along with these warning signs, there are certain risk factors that can elevate the possibility of suicidal ideation and the necessity of a teen suicide prevention program, including:

  • Perfectionist personalities
  • Members of the LGBTQ community
  • Youth with learning disabilities
  • Teens who struggle socially
  • Youth with low self-esteem
  • Depressed youth
  • Students in serious trouble
  • Abused, molested, or neglected youth
  • Those with a genetic predisposition
  • Parental history of violence, substance abuse, or divorce

If your teen is experiencing any of these symptoms, especially when coupled with the additional risk factors listed here, you should get in touch with the experts in our teen suicide prevention program.

Suicidal Ideation Treatment at Ascend 

The team at Ascend Healthcare wants your child to feel like we respect and understand them. In order to meet them where they are, we strive to engage them through a number of therapeutic modalities that make up their personalized teen suicide prevention program. As we evaluate their needs, their treatment program will change and evolve as they do. From evidence-based therapy to experiential therapy, your child’s treatment plan may include a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, equine therapy, horticultural therapy, and more.

Since each teen needs something a little bit different, our admissions team offers some of the most comprehensive assessments available. They are here to listen to your concerns and evaluate your child to ensure our program is right for them. Discover how we can help your child thrive when you reach out to our admissions team at 310.388.3713 today.