Teenage suicide and emotional wellness: Radio talk : Lotus FM, 23 Oct. 2006
by Jimmy Henderson

• New family systems or social systems approach
• Problems with teens are viewed holistically and seen to be due more to bad communication and relationships in the family and with the community.
 Problem behavior not seen in isolation.
 Blame not attributed to teenager alone.
 Unacceptable behavior seen in context of family and community issues
(we all have to accept responsibility that it got to this stage.)
**** Interaction between individual, family and social factors
Individual factors
Usually called ‘vulnerabilities’
 Children can inherit certain ‘genetic vulnerabilities’ from parents that may lead to problems later on ( …) .
 Intelligence, obesity, overly-emotional, very active or intolerant.
 Things that could make him or her unpopular or unsuccessful in school.
 Also possible predispositions for ‘family’ disorders (ADHD, eating disorders, anxiety,depression )
Developmental stages and needs
A child has very clear tasks and needs which need to be met at different
stages of life, if he or she is to develop skills, self-confidence and
emotional wellness.
 Problems usually arise later on in the teenage years as a result of problems in the early years of the child.
 Special needs of the teenager (different stages –different needs- Maslow)
 Respect, independence and peer acceptance–popularity.
 Very emotional –hormones –very concerned about self-image and self-esteem
Family factors
Sometimes home = not a very supportive environment
Family needs to support the child emotionally as well as physically from a
early age, communicate with the child and maintain good relationships
(trust and respect)
Specific Problems
 Weak parenting (lack of communication skills)
Lack of attention to academic needs. Learning and behaviour problems need to be addressed early.
Lack of emotional support for child and teenager when needed.
(no one to turn to)-
Family not meeting dev. needs of teenager (respect and independence)
Too strict= rebelliousness
Lack of involvement from early age –eg absent /unconcerned parent
no real relationship built up. Eg work, divorce, separation
No unconditional love
Inconsistent discipline- No real trust and respect.
 Family expectations and demands.
High expectations towards academic achievement or sports performance.
Conditional acceptance. ‘I will only love you if you perform well’.
Expect teenagers to conform without knowledge of dev. needs
Imposing unpopular family traditions – teenager not conforming
 Unstable home and family stress
Aggressive parenting –shouting, fighting, marital conflict
Parents with problems- mental disorders in family - anxiety,depression.
History of bad relationships in the home (family humiliation)
(poor, unemployed, family disgrace)
Emotional neglect –unconcerned with child /too busy / not taken
seriously/write them off.
Inconsistency- ‘do as I say and not as I do’- bad examples or role
models)
 Abuse
Physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse (Especially when young).
Can lead to major problems later on in teenagers (disorders)
 Family trauma
Death of parent, divorce (absent parent), family = victims of crime
unresolved anger, resentment and fear.
 Substance Abuse
Bad role models -alcoholism, drug use, criminality in family.
Social and cultural factors.
 Role of environmental stressors (crime, poverty, unemployment)
 The role of cultural demands and expectations
 Social expectations and judgements (isolated by family or community)
 Lack of community or social support when family in need (feel isolated)
 Involvement of community counseling or professional help services.
 Involvement with help organizations, welfare, support groups, rehab centres.
 Able/ unable to communicate with friends (peer assistance)
 Level of involvement of church or youth groups
Other factors
 Expectations and demands of the type of society (capitalist)
 Advertising : the role of the media (eg thin, perfect bodies)
 Social pressures to conform.

Teenage depression ( Dr. Laurence Schebush)
Cycle of distress

• Teenage depression arises from a cycle of unbearable psychological distress or anguish in which existing problems are perceived as insurmountable and the teenager withdraws into a ‘dark place’ (feels isolated and alone) in which his/her thoughts become increasingly negative and he/she becomes emotionally deadened.
• Starts off as coping mechanisms (avoidance, withdrawal) and ends up as chronic disorder. The purpose of suicide is to stop this cycle of unbearable pain.

• Symptoms and early warning signs of depression and the behaviour of teenagers at ‘risk’.
Symptoms emerge in the family and larger social system
(Circular process, one factor affects the other )
• Teenagers behaviour problems
(Coping mechanisms kick in to avoid distress )
Social withdrawal (don’t want to go out) loss of interest in activities
Social avoidance (want to be left alone-crying)
Displacement of emotions –angry / irritable
Drop in school performance,loss of concentration, poor memory, loss of creativity
Substance abuse (avoidance) (drugs/alcohol)
Illnesses or pretend illnesses and pseudo suicide-weak attempts at suicide-take
pills etc (cry for attention)
Insomnia, loss of appetite and weight (eating disorders)
Emotions : Moods/ displacement of feelings
Anxiety, angry /irritable, resentment and frustration
Strong feelings of sadness, unworthiness, hopelessness, isolation.
Thoughts : Increasingly preoccupied and negative (self-talk)
Distorted perceptions (caused by emotions)
Talking about suicide to friends and family.

Solutions- Need to re-open communication and improve relationships
May require attitude change on part of parents.
Improved parenting /communication skills
Provide support as required for troubled teen (unconditional love)
Get involvement of community and professional organizations if
necessary.