Student

Teen Suicide: The Cold Truth

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. and nearly 4,000 people aged 15-24 die by suicide each year (Claire Walerstein, page 24). Many suicides can be viewed as a way out that many have tried to take so they wouldn't have to face the real problems (Cynthia Copland Lewis, page 53). Such attempts at suicide are a cry for help or they are an attempt at getting a reaction out of people. With completion of a suicide or not it'll get your attention. The rising numbers in deaths among teens are eye-opening, particularly because the deaths are caused by their own hands. Because suicide is a rising problem among teenagers in the U.S., more and more people should learn about what causes thoughts of suicide along with how to prevent these thoughts of suicide in the people around them. This knowledge of suicide could help those out there who don't know what to do when presented with a friend or family member that has thought about hurting themselves or are hurting themselves.

Depression is one of the main brain malfunctions often associated with suicide among teens (David Sheslow, Kids health for parents). Depression can happen to anyone and it can come from any thing. The main causes for depression are homelessness, drugs and alcohol, and problems at school (Clair Wallerstein, page 29). Even though depression is an illness that is hard to shake there are many warning signs that can help prevent it. If a person talks slower or faster then usual, if they lose interest in their regular activities or their favorite things to do, if they have trouble thinking clearly, if they talk about death, experience changes in eating/sleeping habits, or take part in self-destructing behavior they may be headed towards depression (David Sheslow, Kids Health for Parents). All of these signs towards depression can be stopped by showing them they have your support and giving your support to them. Also, if these signs of depression get worse seek professional help with the person to show you are there for them and also to make sure that they actually go to the place.

When a teen is suffering from depression the first thing they will turn to is alcohol or drugs (Gallup Youth Survey, page 45). But when the good feeling that the drugs and alcohol gives you wears off, the depression comes back, but only worse. Seventy percent of youth who make a suicide attempt are frequent users of alcohol and/or drugs (Gallup Youth Survey, page 46). In states where the minimum drinking age was raised from 18 to 21, the suicide rates for 18-21 year-olds decreased (Clair Wallerstein, page 60). The pressure in high school to drink and do drugs is hard to resist. The want to "be cool" over rules the want to "be smart" in high school which is why teenagers first try alcohol and when teenagers first try alcohol. Drugs and alcohol are a deadly connection to suicide.

Drugs and alcohol are not the only problem linked to high school that can cause suicide, teens are also presented with racial discrimination in high school if not before then. The United States has a history of mistreating minorities, particularly young minorities. The racism exposed to a teen with an ethnic background is one of the main causes of suicide in high school students today. Racism, can often lead to depression, which is the main cause of suicide (David Sheslow, Kids Health for Parents). The intolerance of individuals of different nationalities and sexual orientation is increasing, along with the suicidal rate of the individuals that fit into these categories. The awareness of the discrimination against those who are different needs to increase at the pace of the intolerance of those who are different.

Before an attempted suicide is made it is often thought about long before. Someone who is close to the thought of suicide gives off certain warning signs that you can look for in their behavior. These signs, if noticed early enough, can save a person's life. If the person is pulling away from friends or family and losing desire to go out, if they have trouble concentrating or thinking clearly, if you see changes in eating or sleeping habits, if there are major changes in appearance, or they talk about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty they could be having thoughts of a suicide (Cynthia Copeland Lewis, page 98). Some other signs of a person that may be thinking about killing them self are if they talk about suicide or death or "going away", if they have self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or driving too fast, for example), if they have no desire to take part in favorite things or activities, if they start to give away their favorite possessions/things they value, or even if they suddenly seem very happy and cheerful after being depressed or sad for a long time (this may mean that a person has decided to attempt suicide and feels relieved to have found a "solution")