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Teen Life Q&A Special: FAQ on Teen Suicide
Your most frequently asked questions about teen suicide.
 More of this Feature
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 1
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 2
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 3
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 4
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 5
• FAQ/Teen Suicide Part 6
• All Questions

• More Teen Life FAQs

Assessment Tool:
 Is your friend a suicide risk?
 
 Related Resources
• Suicide & Depression
• Suicide Risk Indicators
• The Suicidal Friend
• Depression Counselling
• Counselling Fact Sheet
• About Self Injury
• Help a Troubled Friend
• Reach Out For Help
• Control Your Temper
• I Will Remember You
• Death, Loss & Grieving
• STD Symptoms
• Talking to Your Parents
 

My friend threatened suicide and I told my parents, they told his/her parents and now that friend is mad at me. Did I do the wrong thing?
You did the 100% totally right thing and your friend will get over it. You put your friend's life first and that takes a great amount of maturity and courage. You did everything right. Better a mad ex-friend than a dead friend.

My friend threatened suicide and when I went to his/her parents they said it was just a cry for attention, what do I do now?
Ask the parents to clarify why they feel that it is just a cry for attention. If you don't agree with them, say so and tell them exactly why you think this needs to be taken seriously. If they still feel it is nothing but an attention grab go to your parents, a trusted adult or school officials for advice. They will be able to help you understand the situation and if necessary they will be able to help you go back to your friend's parents. If that fails and you are still concerned contact the police, 911 or your local social services office with your concerns.

Somebody I cared about committed suicide and I am really mad at them, is this normal?
Not only is your anger very normal, it is very healthy. When somebody takes their own life it is a maddening event. It is a selfish act that often leaves loved ones with questions that can never be answered. You feel rejected, as if you didn't mean enough to your friend for them to want to keep living. If there was a suicide note laying blame (as their very often is) you are likely to feel mad at the people that your friend singled out as the cause. You may feel let down if you tried to help your friend but were brushed off or ignored. However, you know that the ultimate decision was your friend's and that is why your anger is being directed in that direction. Do not feel guilty about being mad, do not fight the feelings, instead let them out and talk about them with other close friends, with your family and if you feel it is necessary, see a professional.

Grief comes in five stages and we find ourselves moving through these stages in a predictable order. How long you spend in each stage depends on you, your personality and how you reach out for help. The five stages of grief (also called the Kubler Ross stages of grief) are:

  1. Isolation/Denial/Shock
  2. Anger
  3. Bargaining
  4. Depression
  5. Acceptance
After a suicide most people move slowly through stages 1 & 2 before quickly moving on to the final stage of acceptance. Please know that your anger is a normal part of this grieving process.

Next Page > FAQ's on Teen Suicide Master Question List > Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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