A study reviews the impact of stress, both internal & external, on adolescents & on suicidal ideation in adolescents. The need for primary prevention of teenage suicide in the form of education of students, & for secondary prevention in the form of intervention & coordination with mental health agencies, is explored. In addition, a modified Sad Persons Scale for adolescents is described as an instrument for school social workers to evaluate coping, symptoms, & adaptation of teenagers. (10 refs)