Thoughts Of Suicide Start Young

 Latest study by professors of University of Washington finds that suicidal thoughts and behaviors seen in teens may begin much earlier in life than previously thought. Study included 883 participants in the Raising Healthy Children project.

In an earlier study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, nearly 40% of young adults who had tried suicide told that they made their first attempt before entering high school.

James Mazza, lead author and professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington says:
“Young adults who end up having chronic mental health problems show their struggles early. This study suggests that implementation of mental health programs may need to start in elementary and middle schools, and that youth in these grades are fairly good reporters of their own mental health.”

Read original study here.

These findings show that the counselling programs to help children rid of depression must be started at elementary school level. Teachers and parents must also help children get out of depression and persistently sad  behaviors. 

Symptoms of depressed kids from medicinenet are:

• Irritability or anger
• Continuous feelings of sadness, hopelessness
• Social withdrawal
• Increased sensitivity to rejection
• Changes in appetite -- either increased or decreased
• Changes in sleep -- sleeplessness or excessive sleep
• Vocal outbursts or crying
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue and low energy
• Physical complaints (such as stomachaches, headaches) that do not respond to treatment
• Reduced ability to function during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, extracurricular activities, and in other hobbies or interests
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Impaired thinking or concentration

Diagnosing such depression at early age and helping students out of it may help risks of its deep impression at later age.