We lose 5000 adolescents a year to suicide. For every 1 that succeeds, 150 attempt. 1 in 4 adolescents thinks that suicide is a viable alternative.

If you are in a state of crisis, do not hesitate and call emergency services. Click here for more emergency contact numbers.

If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call (823-2811) or come into the Counseling Center (between the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday). Be sure to let the receptionist know that you are experiencing a crisis. In the evening or on weekends, contact Lifeline of Central Florida 407-425-2624, the UCF Police Department at 823-5555, or simply dial 911. Refer to Crisis Information for additional emergency resources and phone numbers.

Listen to what he/she is saying. Find out how serious he/she is by asking if they have a plan. If they have a plan and the means to complete, talk to a trusted adult as soon as you can. Do not dismiss their words. Many young men and women who have completed suicide told someone about their intent to harm themselves.

Tell them that you care about them and want to find ways to get them help. Do not promise not to tell someone or not to get help. Do not judge them or their reasons for feeling suicidal. Reassure them that you will do all you can to help them.

Our practice is devoted to the treatment of adults. Some of our doctors treat patients as young as sixteen.

Irritability, anger, and even violence are signs of depression in adolescents. They may also become oppositional and defiant. They may also become withdrawn, sad, and isolated.

It is important for you and your family to pay close attention to any changes in the mood or actions of the person taking antidepressants, especially if the changes occur suddenly. A person who is considering suicide may also start giving away valued possession and put their lives in order by arranging finances and other obligations. They also may suddenly act extremely happy or relieved, from having finally made up their mind to go through with their plan of suicide.

When someone contemplates suicide it is often a result of having a deep seated anger which they feel unable to express appropriately or fully. The unexpressed anger often causes depression and the person begins to feel overwhelmed with feelings. On occasion people kill themselves as a direct way to express their anger at someone or something. Therapists think of suicide as a very selfish way to make a point.

They talk about leaving and give their possessions away. They talk about death and dying, and even mention suicide. These are all danger signals, and if you see them in your kids, they need to be evaluated immediately by a professional.

I think all we can do is be supportive of that person with words. Having been in similar situations in the past, I've found that type of support helps me hang on until I can get real help. Mixed bag, I'm afraid. Many will actually be crying out for attention while others are crying wolf. It's hard to tell the difference sometimes, and there lies the rub. When do we take it seriously enough to act upon someone's statements? I have seen it go both ways.

If someone says that they intend to commit suicide you should always take them very seriously. There are some ways you can help them get through this difficult time: Help them contact people who can get them help (DCYHC, a counselor, teacher, parent, relative, or doctor). Suggest community resources (DCYHC, the California Youth Crisis Line 1-800-843-5200, your school’s special service counselor).

Call the counseling center at once and ask to speak to a therapist. If the center is not open, call Lumpkin County Emergency Services at 1-800-347-5827. Also, the campus security police can be called to stay with you until further help arrives.

A suicide attempt or suicidal behavior such as serious self-injury is a common reason for a psychiatric hospitalization at MCES. Special precautions are taken including 24-hour one-to-one staff coverage for as long as the patient is at high risk. All patients are screened for suicidality. If a patient becomes suicidal during their stay they are closely monitored.

Services available to adolescents include prevention and/or education literature, school-based support groups, intervention services, outpatient counseling, and some limited residential treatment services in Santa Clara County.

Adults have stopped growing and may have experienced some loss of the bone that supports the teeth. Treatment may require coordination between the orthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist, endodontist and family dentist to assure that a complicated adult orthodontic problem is managed comprehensively

Because protection from the childhood vaccine decreases over time, the CDC recommends a single booster vaccine, Tdap, to extend protection against pertussis, as well as tetanus and diphtheria. The CDC also recommends the Tdap booster to protect teens between 11 and 18 years. Vaccination with a booster is also important for healthcare workers in contact with babies under 12 months.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that up to 8.4% of adolescents in the United States suffer from depression. Adolescents females are two times more likely than males to develop a depressive disorder. (Back to top)

The signs of depression vary with each individual according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) these are some of the most common signs. middot; Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness

Yes! It can be hard to find a therapist willing to take on adolescents with their precarious attitudes and issues. Lisa Stull not only enjoys working with teens but also has an excellent track record for breaking through to them.

The best way to know whether or not someone is suicidal is to ASK! Whether or not you know the warning signs of suicide, if for ANY reason you think someone might be suicidal, it is perfectly OK to ask. You will not cause suicide by asking and you may very well save a life. Suicidal individuals are in a lot of pain, and the very fact that someone has noticed, has expressed concern and asked about suicide often provides the relief and time needed to explore other options and get help.

Depression can make you feel like you don't want to live. Frequent thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide are an affect depression can have on you. Studies estimate that up to 15 percent of people with severe depression commit suicide. This makes it even more critical that you seek treatment if you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from depression.

It has been reported that some adolescents have experienced troublesome side effects while taking traditional adult antidepressants. However, the new Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (or , such as Prozac) have less side effects and are not as toxic to the system. There is no evidence of any type of brain damage associated with the use of SSRIs. They also do not cause addiction, but sudden withdrawal can be unpleasant and may cause symptoms to return.

In a national survey of 6,728 adolescents, 45% of the girls and 20% of the boys reported that they had, at some point, been on a diet. 13% of the girls and 7% of the boys reported disordered eating.(24)

As you know, you should take FLONASE as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended starting dosage is one spray in each nostril, once per day. Children not adequately responding to one spray in each nostril may increase their dosage to two sprays in each nostril. Once your child’s nasal symptoms are adequately controlled, the dosage should be reduced to one spray in each nostril, once per day. The maximum total daily dosage should not exceed two sprays in each nostril.

In a 1998 national school survey, 7 percent of boys and 4 percent of girls said they had belonged to a gang in the past 12 months (Gottfredson and Gottfredson, 2001). A survey of nearly 6,000 eighth graders conducted in 11 cities (that were known gang-problem localities) found that 11 percent were currently gang members (17 percent said they had belonged to a gang at some point in their young lives) (Esbensen and Deschenes, 1998).

We have 2 youth cells where teens minister to one another on today's issues of peer pressure, parent relationships, drugs, sex, and everyday struggles, with guidance from the Youth Ministers. These gatherings bring us into a closer relationship with one another and with God. We have met in bowling alleys, homes, mountains, parks, amusement centers etc., and continue to look for new and exciting places to praise our God.

In natural history studies of adolescents with newly acquired HPV infection, the average length of detectable HPV is 13 months. In most adolescent patients with an intact immune system, an HPV infection will resolve within 24 months. Further evidence that the HPV infection will resolve without treatment comes from the high rates of resolution of CIN 1 and CIN 2, 70% and 50% respectively.

Recent studies suggest that the newer class of antidepressant drugs known as SSRIs are safe and effective in treating adolescents with severe and persistent depression. It is important for parents to make sure the adolescent is taking the medication regularly and to watch out for negative side effects. (Back to top)

Not right now. My strengths are not in the area of crisis intervention. I see many clients who's lives are changing quickly and who are feeling unsettled by the changes. But someone who is completely overwhelmed, desperate, and/or a danger to themselves is not a good match for my skills. I recommend you seek out more conventional forms of help before you contact me.