Dr. Kareem Salaam, medical director of the adolescent unit at Friends Hospital, says three-quarters of all teen suicides stem from unrecognized or undertreated depression.
Dr. Salaam says parents, friends, and loved ones should be on alert for signs teens are in emotional trouble - changes in mood or lifestyle, poor grooming habits, not getting pleasure from school or from activities the teen used to think were fun. He says parents should be alert to see if their child's words match their actions.
And be aware a child may tell adults one thing about their emotional state, but give different signals to their friends or schoolmates.
"At this point in their lives, adults are usually not the primary influence on their lives. Their peer group is the main influence," says Dr. Salaam.
Parents should find out who their children are spending the most time with, and determine if any of them have serious turmoil in their lives. Dr. Salaam says teens are subject to copycat behavior, but may not realize the consequences of what they are doing.
He recommends parents exercise "benign intrusiveness." And that may include searching a child's room, clothing, or backpacks, if they suspect trouble. Teens will likely be angry over what they see as an invasion of privacy. However, Dr. Salaam says they will get over those hurt feelings in time, if parents reinforce their love and concern for the child.
"Don't wait for a child to tell you they need help," says the doctor.
Check social media, like Facebook. A child may feel more free to express his or her feelings to peers there.
And lock up, or get rid of firearms, and keep prescription medicines out of kids's hands.
Dr. Salaam says boys are more likely to use very lethal means, like firearms, to take their lives.
Girls, on the other hand, are more likely to ingest toxic substances, such as medicines.