Suicide / Question
Published: November 25, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi. I'm really scared. Every time I look at something sharp, see a car that's speeding, or look down from somewhere up high I think boy I'd love to die. When I tell my friends this they just yell at me and tell me I'm just trying to act depressed, and I'm also trying to hard to be a Goth! That's not true. I have no one else to talk to. My mom and dad don't understand, and I feel too embarrassed to tell anyone else. I know I'm suicidal; I'm too scared to tell any one. My friends don't believe me. I need advice, other wise I might commit suicide. Please help.
Signed: Think I'd Love To Die - Help
Dear Think I'd Love To Die - Help,
TeenHealthFX understands that you have a lot going on in your life. It can be disappointing and upsetting if your friends do not take you seriously and when you do not think your parents understand.
Although you think your parents will not understand, we encourage you to tell them how badly you have been feeling and give them the opportunity to help you. Most parents want their children to be happy and healthy and do not want them to suffer. If you tell your parents and they do not believe you or get you help, find another adult that you trust - like a teacher, a counselor or school nurse. You can also talk to your doctor. Your parents or other adult should be able to get you the professional help that you need.
A mental health professional, like a therapist or psychiatrist, can talk with you about feeling depressed and suicidal and can help you to figure out what is going on and what can be done to help you feel better. Sometimes it is talk therapy, sometimes medication and many times, it is a combination of both.
If you live in northern New Jersey, you can get a referral to a mental health professional by calling the ACCESS Center at Atlantic Health at 888.247.1400. Outside of this area, log on the SAMSHA website to find a referral to therapist.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
