Over the past years suicide has risen to be the third leading cause of death among adolescents age 15-24 year-olds following accident and homicide. (#1) Statistically every 45 minutes a teen will commit suicide. Suicide is a growing problem in the U.S that needs to be addressed.
Although anyone is capable of committing suicide some people are more predisposed than others. Boy are statistically more likely to die of suicide then women, however women attempt suicide more often and have more frequent suicidal thoughts, twice as often. The reason behind this seems to be that male’s suicide is more impulsive and violent, using methods such as hanging, jumping off of high places, or fire arms. Women on the other hand generally try to OD on medication or slit their wrists. (ATS) Also people with various mental diseases like depression and bipolar disorder (BPD) are statistically at greater risk for suicide then people without it. 90% of all teens who have committed were diagnosed with a mental disorder of some kind. (NYVPRS) Another controversial theory stated that teens that are sexually active are most likely to become victims of suicide. According to studies when asked 25% of sexually active female teens claimed to be depressed while only 8% of non-sexually active teen girls claimed to be depressed. (SLD)
It is sometimes possible to prevent teen suicide, but not always, there are often warning signs to look out for, but they are sometimes so spontaneous a loved one could never tell in advance. According to American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology, many of the warning signs to look out for include, threatening suicide in either a direct or indirect way, an obsession with death, a change in eating or sleeping patterns, a drop in grades, ignoring in school or out of school activities they once enjoyed, drug or alcohol use, and with drawing from friends and loved ones. (AACAP) However if the symptoms are noticed teen suicide is easily preventable. If a parent notices their child displaying any of the symptoms they should address the problem immediately. The worst thing a parent can do is wait out the problem to see if the child gets better. Friends and class mates can also aid in the prevention of suicide, when noticing the warning signs the best thing to go is to tell a teacher, guidance counselor, or any other trusted adult. (APA) If people are aware of signs of teen suicide and act on them immediately the teen suicide rate can be decreased drastically.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/bipolar.html Title: Bipolar Disorder (BPD) Author: David V. Sheslow, PhD Date of Publication: December 2004 Date of Access: December 9th http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/suicide.htm Title: “Teen Suicide” (AACAP) Author: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology Date of Publication: July 2004 Date of Access: December 7th http://www.1-teenage-suicide.com/ Title: #1 Teen Suicide (#1) Author: Pete Date of Publication: 2001 Date of Access: December 6th http://healthyminds.org/multimedia/teensuicide.pdf Title: Let’s talk facts about teen suicide (APA) Author: American Psychiatric Association Date of Publication: Date of Access: December 7th http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html Title: About Teen Suicide (ATC) Author: Matthew K. Nock, PhD Date of Publication: June 2005 Date of Access: December 6th http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-06-03-teen-usat_x.htm Title: Study links depression, suicide rates to teen sex (SLD) Author: Karen S. Peterson Date of Publication: 6/5/2003 7:54 PM Date of Access: December 7th http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm Title: Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and Getting Help for Teenagers (TSSS) Author: Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Lisa Flores Dumke, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D Date if Publication: 7/8/05 Date of Access: December 9th http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/suicide.asp Title: Teen Suicide (NYVPRS) Author: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center Date of Access: December 7th
