Teen Suicide: Not So Painless
Suicide is the third highest cause of death among teens (15-24). Among 5-14 year olds suicide rates have doubled in the past generation. Last year fifteen million prescriptions were written for antidepressants for children and youth. And on Tuesday the FDA acknowledged an increased suicide risk associate with children taking antidepressants. The mental health of our young people is worse off today than it was 50 years ago. But for years the National Institute of Health has been following a biomedical model that seeks a drug to solve every problem. ItÂ’s clearly been a massive failure.
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) September 22, 2004
For the past twenty years the National Institute of Health has been following a biomedical model that seeks a drug to solve every problem. When concerns are raised regarding possible side effects, we hear the familiar ‘the benefits far outweigh the risks’ line. But on Tuesday, the FDA acknowledged a potential increased risk of suicide in children who take antidepressant drugs. Clearly the risk of drugs are often more dangerous than the problems they are seeking to solve.
Last year 15 million prescriptions were written for antidepressants for children and teens. Suicide rates have doubled for children 5-14 years old in the past generation. For youth (15-24) suicide has been the third leading cause of death for well over a generation. Dr. James W. Prescott, past Health Scientist Administrator of the Development Behavioral Biology Program of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH) says “Clearly something is wrong in our culture when our children and teens are driven into suicide, despair, and drug addiction. The NIH and America are not asking the important question; Where is all of this coming from and what can we do to prevent it?”
In his research with 49 tribal cultures Dr. Prescott found two primary indicators in cultures that were free of crime and violence; strong maternal – infant / child bonding and support and acceptance (rather than shame and embarrassment) of teenage sexuality. “Teenagers today feel isolated and disconnected, and no one is addressing the primary cause” says Dr. Prescott. He points to mixed messages around teen sexuality and notes “Parents are caught between abstinence only and indulgence and are completely avoiding the issue. Teenagers are sexual and no one is giving them real information on the healthy benefits of positive affectional relationships.”
Howard B. Schiffer, parenting expert and author of ‘How To Be The Best Lover – A Guide For Teenage Boys’ says “This is the time when we are losing our teenagers, partly to teen’s own fear and discomfort and now to psychiatric drugs.” He continues; “The real tragedy here is that parents are not seeing this time as an opportunity for increased connection and communication. They’re letting their own confusion close the door.” Schiffer urges parents to step through their own discomfort and open a dialogue with their children to confront the real issues they are facing. He notes, “The answer is not in a pill or prescription, it is in a potent dialogue. Our kids are screaming for someone to talk to.”
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