Notice: This informational website is
not intended as a crisis response or hotline. Local
crisis hotline numbers can be found in the front of
your local phone book or call 911.
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Protective factors against youth suicide are less
well studied. Some known protective factors are:
The presence of an important person in the
youth's life
As long as there is an emotionally significant
person in the youth's life to whom the youth can
relate, this will decrease the likelihood of
suicide. Many youths are ambivalent about suicide
and they turn to others for help and support. The
emotionally important person may be a parent, a
teacher, a close friend or a youth worker. The
person has become the life line to the teenager. The
presence of a good supportive network is
particularly important to those youths who have
little or no family support.
Good coping skills
The more resourceful and skilled in problem solving,
the more likely is the youth's ability to cope with
stressful situations. Coping skills are generally
related to the personality of the individual rather
than the intelligence of the person. A person who is
coping well may see a stressful situation as a
challenge and an opportunity for change rather than
as an occasion for despair.
A supportive and caring family
A warm, caring and understanding family is a good
source of support for a young person in distress.
Firm guidance, good communication, family stability
and an ability to "grow" with the child are
important ingredients for a well functioning family.
Interests and activities
Young people who are involved in group activities
such as Scouts, Girl Guides, church groups and team
sports can use these activities to channel their
energy and frustration in a socially acceptable
manner. They learn to relate to others in a
semi-structured and fun filled environment under the
guidance of responsible and caring adults. Their
self esteem can be raised by their successes.
