11 signals that may indicate suicidal thoughts in a teenager

Psychotherapist Fiona Yassin named 11 early signs of suicidal thoughts in teenagers ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day. Among the signals: saying goodbye to loved ones, giving away belongings, isolation, interest in death, talk of hopelessness. The expert also gave recommendations for parents on how to talk to a child and when to seek professional help.

Psychotherapist and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, Fiona Yassin, in an interview with HuffPost UK, listed 11 signals that may indicate suicidal thoughts in a teenager. The article is timed to World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10. Among the signs: saying goodbye to pets or friends, giving away belongings, alcohol or drug abuse, isolation from family, increased interest in death or funerals, sudden immersion in the topic of suicide, expressing thoughts of death through drawings or texts, relationship problems, talk of hopelessness, guilt, shame, or worthlessness, loss of interest in previous hobbies, and phrases like 'Everyone would be better off without me.' Yassin notes that relationship problems are especially significant for children under 14. The article also provides recommendations for parents: stay calm, do not minimize the child's feelings, use their own words, do not leave them alone after the conversation, and immediately seek professional help. The influence of the internet is also considered: according to Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity, nearly 1,000 suicide-related searches are made daily in the UK. The organization's CEO, Alice Hendy, spoke about a personal tragedy—the death of her brother after searching for information online. The article also lists signs of self-harm: unexplained injuries, a desire to hide body parts, depression, outbursts of anger, self-blame.