AACAP'S Facts For Families Informs Public About Teen Suicide

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rob Grant, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
rgrant@aacap.org

Anna Eisenberg, Communications Coordinator
202.966.7300, Ext. 154
aeisenberg@aacap.org

Washington, D.C., September 13, 2010 - The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Facts for Families: Teen Suicide informs families, practicing clinicians and the general public about teen suicide.

Suicides among young people continue to be a serious problem. Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds.

Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress.

Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful.

AACAP's Facts for Families: Teen Suicide can be found here or www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/teen_suicide.

To learn more about AACAP's Facts for Families, or to speak with an expert in the field, please contact Anna Eisenberg, Communications Coordinator, at 202.966.7300, ext. 154 or aeisenberg@aacap.org.

###

Representing over 8,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health.

AACAP Members actively research, diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents and their families. For more information please visit www.aacap.org.