This document discusses suicide among adolescents and provides information to help parents understand and identify warning signs. Some key facts are that suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24, and the second leading cause for 15-year-olds in Texas. Warning signs parents should watch for include changes in behavior, mood, personality and social interactions. The document also outlines protective factors and resources available to help adolescents who may be at risk of suicide.

1. SUICIDE AMONG ADOLESCENTS: HELPING PARENTS UNDERSTAND AND IDENTIFY WARNING SIGNS Dr. LaWanda N. Evans, LPC Intern, CSC, CTS Thursday, December 8, 2011

2. FACTS MYTHS RISK FACTORS

6. MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

11. RISK FACTORS

16. BEHAVIORS YOU MAY SEE AT HOME WARNING SIGNS VERBAL SIGNS PROTECTIVE FACTORS

17. BEHAVIORS YOU MAY SEE AT HOME

20. WARNING SIGNS

26. VERBAL SIGNS

29. FACTORS THAT MAY DECREASE ADOLESCENT SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR AND RISK FACTORS

33. WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS A PROBLEM

35. WHAT KIND OF HELP IS AVAILABLE

37. RESOURCES

40. REFERENCES

42. THANKS