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Suicide is a growing problem in society today in the United
States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1995
22,552 Americans died of homicide in 1995 while 31,284 died due
to suicide (Teens Attempting Suicide). Suicide is the eighth
leading cause of death in the United States (Dolce 13). While it
is estimated that nearly 35,000 Americans commit suicide every
year it is believed that that number is closer to 100,000
because so many suicides are ruled as accidents (Dolce 13). The
number of attempted suicides in the United States is even more
overwhelming. Approximately 5 million people now living in the
United States have attempted suicide (Dolce 13). Meanwhile,
suicide among teenagers is becoming a growing trend as well. The
third leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of
15 to 24 is suicide, second only to homicide and car accidents,
according to the Centers for Disease Control (Understanding and
Preventing Teen Suicide). Once every 80 seconds an adolescent
attempts to take his or her own life (Dolce 14). Again, these
numbers may not be accurate as many suicides and attempted
suicides are often reported as accidents, leading to the
conclusion that the problem of teen suicide is even greater than
what is reported (Teen Suicide APA). Teen suicide affects
everyone close to the victim – parents, friends, and siblings
and family. For these people it is difficult to overcome the
suicide because they feel guilty; the reason(s) for the suicide
are often never known. But teen suicide is a growing problem
that can be deterred. The facts of teenage suicide paint a
picture of sadness and desperation in a time of turbulence for
many teens. During adolescence teens deal with a multitude of
new experiences such as new relationships, decisions about their
future, and the physical changes that are taking place in their
bodies. It is a very confusing and difficult time for many
teens. While many teens handle these changes more easily than
others, many become so overwhelmed by them that they feel like
they have nowhere to turn and commit suicide. Adolescence is a
time of great confusion and anxiety for many. During this time
teens feel the pressure to fit in socially, to perform
academically, and to act responsibly (Understanding and
Preventing Teen Suicide). Adolescence is also a time of sexual
awakening, growing self-identity, and a need to be oneself that
often conflicts with the rules and norms of our society
(Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide). Teens that have a
strong support group of friends, family, religious affiliations,
peer groups, and extracurricular activities may have an outlet
to deal with these everyday frustrations. But teens without such
a support group often feel disconnected or isolated which often
put them at risk for suicide (“Suicide Prevention”). Every day,
fourteen young people commit suicide, or approximately 1 every
100 minutes (Teen Suicide). This rate has more than tripled
since the 1950’s for teens (Dolce 14). Why do so many teens
attempt or commit suicide? Why has the number of suicides and
attempted suicides increased so drastically in recent years? One
of these reasons is the connection between depression in teens
and suicide. It is important to understand that adolescents who
are suicidal often exhibit many signs or signals before they
actually attempt or succeed in suicide. Keeping an eye on teens
for these signals may allow parents, teachers, and friends the
opportunity to intervene before they actually carry through with
the act. Some of the signs are easier to spot than others. The
strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in teens are
depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and aggressive or disruptive
behaviors (Teen Suicide). Teens that come from alcoholic or
abusive families, have suffered physical or sexual abuse, lack
parental support, and have a history of family depression are
also at great risk (Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide).
These factors usually exhibit the easiest signs of possible
suicidal tendencies. Depressed moods, substance abuse, frequent
episodes of running away or being incarcerated, and impulsive,
aggressive behavior are all signs that are often exhibited in
teens that have the highest risk of committing suicide (Teen
Suicide). If any of these behaviors are detected in an
adolescent they should be referred to a professional
psychologist, counselor, or doctor for assistance. Other signs
or signals of suicide may not seem so obvious or may appear to
just be normal behavior for teenagers. But it is important to
not just dismiss these signs as only regular behavior,
especially if the teen has recently undergone a major traumatic
event in his/her life. Such traumatic events may include
divorce, loss of a family member, a breakup with a boyfriend or
girlfriend, abusive parents, loss of a job by a family member,
moving to a different city or school, or suffering constant
humiliation or embarrassment at school (Teen Suicide). Some of
the signals that may accompany these traumatic events include
withdrawal from family and friends, no longer interested in
participating in events that they once enjoyed, giving away
possessions, talking of death or suicide, arguments with parents
and friends, inability to concentrate, sleeping too much or too
little, dramatic changes in personal appearance, expressions of
hopelessness, self-destructive behaviors (promiscuity, substance
abuse, or reckless driving, and changes in appetite
(Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide). Other signs include
personality changes, complaints about physical symptoms such as
headaches and fatigue, poor schoolwork, and boredom (Teen
Suicide, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Teens at risk of suicide also may complain of being a bad
person, become suddenly cheerful after a bout of depression
(because they feel they have found the answer to their problems
in suicide), and signs of psychosis (Teen Suicide, American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). One of the most
recent trends in factors that put teens at risk for suicide is
that of sexual confusion. Teens who are dealing with homosexual
feelings often feel isolated and alone. This is especially true
for those who lack the support of friends and family. Many times
they are scared to even discuss their sexual feelings for fear
of being ostracized. Recent studies have shown that suicide
attempts are far greater amongst adolescent teens who are gay,
lesbian, or bisexual than among their heterosexual peers
(Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide). Brent Hafen
includes many other underlying factors in teen suicide in his
book Youth Suicide besides those mentioned above. They are
worthy of mention because it is important to know all of the
factors that play a role in teen suicide. Among those already
stated Hafen includes the following factors: disconnection with
a parent, the “expendable child” syndrome (in which the child
feels he is no longer wanted by the parents), role reversal (in
which the child must take on the role of responsibility in the
household), broken homes, lack of communication and
understanding with parents, high expectations to perform
academically, religious conflicts (in which the teen disagrees
with the parents’ religious beliefs), bullying at school,
constant moving from city to city, romanticized perceptions of
suicide, the need to send out a distress signal, overwhelming
shame or guilt, the desire to punish someone, tunnel vision (the
belief that suicide is the only answer to a problem, no matter
how trivial), exposure to violence, unresolved grief, the desire
to get attention, cluster suicides (in which case a group of
teens make a pact to commit suicide), and poor impulse control
(66-116). Although this list may include factors that may seem
trivial or even normal for teenagers, it is the effect that they
have on each individual that make them important. As already
stated, even though many teens go through many of these same
situations and events and never attempt or commit suicide, there
are many that do not have the coping mechanisms or support
groups to deal with them. That is why it is so important to look
for warning signals from those who may actually be thinking of
committing suicide. It is important to understand the factors
and reasons that adolescents attempt and commit suicide in order
to help stop the problem. It is also important to dispel the
myths surrounding suicide amongst teens in order to gain a
further understanding of how to stop the problem. One such myth
is that people who talk about suicide never actually go through
with it. This is probably the most dangerous misconception,
according to Laura Dolce in Suicide (47). A person who talks
about suicide is thinking about it. He or she brings it up to
test other people’s reactions and is usually a cry for help.
Dolce also dispels other misconceptions in her book. It is
believed that people who commit suicide leave notes. Dolce
states that the majority of suicides do not leave notes and is
one of the reasons that many suicides are ruled as accidents
rather than suicides (47). Another myth is that people who
survive a suicide attempt never try it again. Dolce points out
that 80% of those who commit suicide have attempted it before.
The reason for this, she reasons, is that the problem causing
the need to commit suicide has not been resolved (47). One of
the biggest assumptions made about suicides is that people from
good families never commit suicide. Dolce dismisses this claim,
also, as suicide claims people from all walks of life, whether
rich or poor. In fact adolescents who come from so-called
“perfect families” may feel even more pressure to excel (49). It
is often believed that people who attempt suicide are crazy.
Dolce again dismisses this as a horrible myth as many teens that
commit suicide are not mentally ill but see no other solution to
a problem that they are experiencing and see suicide as the only
answer to their problems (49). Another myth among society about
suicide is that those who have attempted or thought about
suicide remain suicidal for the rest of their lives. Dolce
stresses that while many teens who have attempted suicide are
indeed at a higher risk for attempting it again, many go on to
lead normal lives. In fact, 70% of the general population has
considered suicide at some time in their life but never go
beyond that or act upon it (49). The last and possibly most
important myth about suicide pertains to the victim. Many
adolescents are drawn to suicide because they believe that
taking their own life is a way of exacting revenge. They
perceive themselves as having “gotten back” at a parent, friend,
or peer. What they fail to understand, according to Dolce, is
that suicide is permanent. It is a loss for themselves and for
the people who are left behind. Suicide does not get even with
anyone (50). Once adolescents who are at risk for attempting
suicide are identified it is important to help them through
whatever they are going through to help prevent it. The American
Psychiatric Association stresses that the last things these
teens need are a lecture or to hear all the reasons they have to
live. What they need is to be reassured that they have someone
they can turn to in order to discuss their feelings or problems,
whether it is family, friends, school counselor, teacher,
physician, or religious leader. (Teen Suicide APA). It must be a
person who is very willing to listen and who is able to reassure
the individual that their problems or depression can be treated.
If, in fact, the individual teen is suffering from depression,
it is important to get them professional help from a
psychiatrist or counselor (Teen Suicide APA). While teen suicide
is a severe problem in the United States today, it is one that
can be deterred, if not completely eliminated. Looking for the
proper signs and knowing about the factors involved for at-risk
teens is an important step in solving the problem. All parents,
teachers, counselors, and doctors should be aware of these
signs. Even friends can play an important role in stopping
suicide. Recognizing the signs and factors is just the first
step in solving the problem. Finding the proper treatment is the
next step. But if at-risk students can be identified early then
that is half the battle. It’s a battle worth fighting since
suicide is taking away so many promising young people from
society and they are missing out on the wonderful gift of life.
Works Cited
Dolce, Laura. Suicide. New York: Chelsea House, 1992.
Hafen, Brent Q., and Kathryn J. Frandsen. Youth Suicide:
Depression and Loneliness. Colorado: Cordillera Press, 1986.
Marcus, Eric. Why Suicide? San Francisco: Harper, 1996.
Palazzolo, Rose. “Preventing Teen Suicide.” Psychology Today
Online. May/June 2003. 20 May 2005.
.
Shamoo, Tonia K., and Philip G. Patros. I Want to Kill Myself.
Massachusetts: Lexington Books, 1990.
“Suicide Prevention.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
Online. 27 May 2005.
.
“Teens Attempting Suicide.” Online. 20 May 2005.
.
“Teen Suicide.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry. Online. 27 May 2005.
.
“Teen Suicide.” American Psychiatric Association. Online. 20 May
2005. .
“Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide.” Kidshealth. Online.
20 May 2005. .
******************************************* See Social Studies Made Simple
About the author:
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University, teacher certification from Saginaw Valley State
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