Adopted Teens and Suicide: Is There a Greater Threat?

It has been an ongoing discussion for decades that adopted adolescents are more likely to become troubled teens prone to depression.

It has been assumed – and tested – that the suicide risks for adopted teens are far higher than for these teens’ non-adopted counterparts. Are adopted troubled teens truly at higher risk for suicide and, if so, what can be done to prevent it? 

The Research

Although many adopted teens are psychologically well-adjusted, new studies have found that they are still significantly more likely to attempt suicide than those teens who were not adopted. While researchers urged doctors to be overly aware of signs of depression in adopted teens, they said the parents of adopted teens should not be overly alarmed by the results that were found. However, around the world, it was concluded that adopted teens are at a much higher risk for suicide than non-adopted teens. In fact, research done in Sweden found that adopted kids were more likely to attempt suicide than non-adopted children. In the US, the teens from existing data from a study consisting of 692 adopted children and 540 non-adopted children were looked at again. Over three years of the study, 56 children attempted suicide at least once and, of those kids, 47 were adopted and 9 were not. When self-harm behavior was taken into account, it was concluded that adopted teens were 3.7 times more likely to do so than non-adopted teens.  

One adoptee spoke out in Adoption Voices Magazine, and brought out some valid points that may be throwing parents off. Do not think that just because your adopted teen is doing well in school or in extracurricular activities, that they are okay. They can still be goal-driven, and wanting so badly to please their adoptive parents, that they will do anything to appear okay and ease that worry. This is why it is imperative that you regularly talk to your teen and let them know that you encourage open, non-judgmental communication between you. If they know they can talk to you about anything, they will be far more likely to come to you before something more serious occurs. 

If you are unsure about how to go about helping your adopted teen, Three Points Center may be just what you both need. Three Points Center has been specifically designed through the subjective viewpoint of the adoptive family, and they strive to provide unparalleled support for the family as a whole. What separates them from other residential treatment centers is the fact that adopted youth and their families are their only clients. They firmly believe that the issues lies not with the adopted teen, but with a family system that needs help to change. The family must be united in this change and, in the end, their treatment plans and goals are set for your specific teen and family, and have proven to drastically turn things around. Do not hesitate – call today!