Everyone knows that teenagers do not tell their parents and friends everything, but sometimes, they succeed in hiding serious problems. These problems can include depression, eating disorders, and self-injury, and they can all lead to death.

According to twloha.com, the third leading cause of death nationwide among teenagers is suicide. I know many JC students that have problems like these. Problems like these are real issues in high schools across the country.

I have heard girls make themselves throw up in the JC bathrooms, then walk out and pretend everything is normal. Making yourself throw up to lose weight is not normal and not okay.

Teenagers need to pay attention to their friends to see if they are struggling with any of these probelms. These probelms can be hidden well, but there are always warning signs.

Some warning signs are surprisingly obvious. If you have a friend that never eats anything at lunch, do not ignore it. If it is a constant occurrence, talk to someone about it because he/she could have an eating disorder.

If you see someone with scars or cuts on his/her arms, then it is likely that they have self-injured. Another sign is when someone wears long sleeves all the time, even in the summer.

The most important warning signs are given by suicidal teenagers. If anyone you know starts talking or writing about death or suicide often, willdrawing from their family or friends, has a sudden change in personality, loses interest in their activites, and gives away their prized possessions than they are most likely suicidal.

Anyone exhibiting any of these signs needs help. You need to get them help.

Help can come from a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor, among others.

TWLOHA stands for To Write Love On Her Arms. It is a nonprofit organization created to inform people about mental illnesses and work to fight against them. Part of their mission is to connect people to treatment, to find help from them go to their website- twloha.com.

Counseling services can also help. They can easily be found through the American Psychological Association, Befrienders Worldwide, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), or the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Calling a hotline is an immeadite way to get help. The National Hopeline Hotline is 1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1.800.273.TALK (273-8255).

If you are ever feeling suicidal, get help. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Your problems may seem like they will last forever, but they will not. Suicide does not take away the pain, it passes it on to the friends and family.

Rachel Amrhein is an Opinion Columnist for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.