Teens often face a host of stressors and confusing feelings as they grow through the adolescent years. The emotions associated with puberty, self-doubt, confusion about the future, family problems, and school pressures can sometimes seem overwhelming, and statistics indicate that as many as one in five high school students seriously considers suicide. But suicidal behavior is not a normal response to stress. Mental health professionals claim that most teen suicide victims have a mental health disorder, a history of substance abuse, or both. When suicide risks are acknowledged and warning signs are heeded, many teens in distress can learn that the feelings that led them to consider suicide are treatable and that there is hope for the future. Suicide Information for Teens, Second Edition provides updated information about suicide risks, causes, and prevention. It discusses mental health disorders and life-threatening behaviors linked to suicide risk, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and self-injury. It offers suggestions for recognizing suicide warning signs, and it explains the most commonly used treatments for suicidal ideation, including counseling and medications.

A section on suicide loss addresses the complex grief experienced by those who are affected by a suicide death. The book concludes with a list of crisis hotlines and a directory of additional resources for further information.