Youth suicide has been a serious problem in many countries over the past four decades (Gregoire). Statistics show that every year 200,000 teenagers worldwide commit suicide, and approximately 4 million adolescents attempt it (Gregoire). There are many factors that can affect the psychological state of teens; however one documented major culprit is stress. According to the APA’s 2013 Stress In America Survey, American teenagers are now the most stressed-out age group in the United…
Untreated depression and other mental disorders are a key component to teen suicides. Depression, especially, can be triggered by several events in a teenager’s life such as problems at home, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, and dealing with sexual identity (Will). Maureen Underwood, a social worker who has written suicide prevention school curricula and who works with the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, states these “triggering events could push someone off the edge” (Harpaz). Unlike adults, who have the capacity and skills to overcome such obstacles, teenagers have not reached the level to do so. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at least 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric illness (“AFSP: Risk Factors”). Therefore, the awareness of student’s actions and emotions by parents, teachers, and other adults are imperative.…
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all people in the U.S. while it’s the third of teenagers. Suicide is beginning to claim more young people's lives each year.…
This program called, “The Surviving the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program,” is a school based program that helps with prevention of suicides and was developed by and registered nurse named Catherine Strunk. This school based program was offered by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Psychiatry Division. This program is learned more towards kids in the high…
Berman, A.L., Jobes, D.A. & Silverman, M.M. (2006) Adolescent Suicide: Assessment and Intervention. NY: Guilford Publications.…
Determining why children and adolescents commit suicide is a concern that many individuals in the helping professions face. Obviously, they commit suicide because they are depressed in many instances, but it is also accurate to say that there are other reasons why many of these adolescents choose to take their own lives. Some of them are involved in substance abuse and other issues that cause them to think suicide is the right idea. Others are involved with crowds of other adolescents that drag them down into painful issues and problems that they have trouble facing. When this happens, some of these individuals begin to feel that they are trapped in these problems, and the only way that some of them find to escape those problems is through…
The following interventions provided below are drawn from epidemiologic and prevention science perspectives, guided selection of the most promising prevention/intervention targets and research pathways (Wyman, 2014). The first is interventions delivered in social systems are needed for broad impact. Children develop through interactions within social systems for example; families and schools, and interventions in these systems can influence emotional and behavioral developmental processes of large youth populations essential to reduce suicide rates (Wyman, 2014). There are two social systems which are normative social systems and reparative social systems. Normative social systems such as public schools, community youth organizations are settings for universal interventions and serve the broadest populations (Wyman, 2014). According to Wyman (2014), interventions delivered universally have the…
Introduction Youth suicide is a major public health problem in the United States today. Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds, and the fifth leading cause of death for 5-14 year olds. (American Foundation of Suicide Prevention [AFSP], 2010; National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS],2006) The reduction of adolescent suicide is one of the major objectives of the Healthy People 2010 Initiative (Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Scope of the Problem Age and gender differences Suicide is less common during childhood and the early teen years (Gould & Kramer, 2001). In 2006, the rate was .5 suicides per 100,000 children aged 10-14. (AFSP, 2010; NCHS, 2006) Suicide mortality increases considerably in the late teens and continues into the early twenties for both males and females. Although females are more likely than males to attempt suicide, males are roughly five times as likely to success in their suicide attempts. Ethnic differences American Indian/Alaska Native youth have the highest prevalence of suicide across all age groups. In this group males have the higher prevalence. European-American youth have the next highest prevalence. Their prevalence is higher than that of AfricanAmerican, Latino, and Asian-American/Pacific Islander youth. Although research suggests that Native American and Latino youth have the highest suicide-related fatalities (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2009), Latino female youth are more likely to attempt suicide than all other groups of youth (National Adolescent Health Information Center, 2006). Methods of youth suicide Firearm death remains the most prevalent method of suicide, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. It…
Many factors contribute to the increase of teen suicide; one of the most over-looked reasons is through the influences of communication technology (Netter, Niles & James, 2010). The internet and cell phones are innovative way to communicate, but today, teenagers now are exposed to more information and have manipulated them to do online bullying – which most teens hide for fear of embarrassment (Netter, Nies & James, 2010). Based on a developmental standpoint, teens are in a period of identity searching that leaves their psychological health vulnerable to stressors. It is also documented that self-esteem is at its lowest compared to other stages in life (Potter & Perry, 2011). Combining that with their inadequate decision-making capability, due to their underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, teens are more likely to make regrettable decisions that negatively impact their health and the health of those around them. As a community wellness measure, it is essential to bring into awareness that teen suicide is a preventable health problem.…
New, Ph.D, Michael J. “About Teen Suicide.” Kid’s Health. N.p., Jan. 2012. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. .…
Teenage suicide has over time become a major issue in today’s society. Suicide is the intentional act of taking one’s own life and is a serious issue that should be addressed as quickly as possible (Zeinert, 28). Teen suicide has been the topic of various news headlines; yet it still continues to have dramatic effects on today’s youth. In the United States, suicide is currently the eighth leading cause of death for Americans, along with the third leading cause for teenagers aged 15-24 (Dolce, 13). These statistics are startling due to the fact that teen suicide is a very preventable form of death. There are many incorrect common beliefs that come up with the subject of teen suicide. An example of this is that people who commit suicide don’t give any warning signs (Barnes, 23). When someone is thinking about suicide, they almost always show warning signs of being suicidal (Dolce, 30). Along with this, there have also been a number of misconceptions about the leading cause of teenage suicide. Learning about the causes of suicide, different types of mental disorders, and even common warning signs can all be helpful tools in suicide prevention.…
Did you know that suicidal is the third leading cause of death in the world? Not only that, but based on research, suicide attempts increases tremendously during teenage years. As a matter of fact, teenage years are really the most complicated part of one’s life. Most especially nowadays, there’s always that pressure in a teenager. There's pressure to fit in socially, to perform academically, and to act responsibly. Teenage years or commonly adolescence is also a time of sexual identity and relationships and a need for independence that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by others.…
Everyone, especially teens, have many daily troubles, but what if everyone could follow a few simple steps to prevent all those problems? People have many ideas on how to help stop and prevent teen suicide, which currently is the third leading cause of death for fifteen to twenty four year olds. Suicidal thoughts are usually triggered by simple things, like changes, stress, and fear. They could also be triggered by larger more complex problems, like depression, substance abuse, and destructive behaviors. For the loved ones of those who have committed suicide the after effects include feelings of anger at the person for being so selfish, guilt from feeling that if something was done differently maybe they would still be here, and confusion about why they might have done this. Although some things in life cannot be completely eliminated, like suicide for example, there are many ways to help reduce teen deaths by suicide. Suicide is a frequent problem among today’s teens, but by educating teens on coping skills, educating people about the warning signs of suicide, and provide helpful counseling, this problem can be greatly reduced.…
Suicide amongst teenagers is a growing pandemic. However, it is preventable. The key to preventing teen suicides and attempted suicides is being aware and knowledgeable about the subject. Knowing what causes a teen to commit or attempt to commit suicide and what factors increase a teenagers risk of committing or attempting to commit suicide are the first steps towards preventing teen suicide. Teenagers are highly susceptible to suicide largely due to the way puberty affects their brains and behaviors. It is also important to understand what effects the suicide of a teen has on his or her surviving family and friends and how to help them during the grieving process. The death of a young person through suicide can have a different effect on his or her family than a death by other means. The most important thing to remember about preventing teen suicide is to know the signs and to get treatment (often psychiatric treatment, because the causes are mostly mental) for each underlying cause as early as possible.…
Teenage suicide has always been a growing issue over the years. According to some statistics, suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents (after accidents and homicides) in the US. A teenager commits suicide every 90 minutes because of his or her diminished self-control and inability to suppress inappropriate desires, actions, and emotions. Furthermore, the reported rate of suicide may actually be understated because usually medical personnel hesitate to report suicide as a cause of death. While family problems and depression, academic and social pressure, alcoholism and drug abuse play a fundamental role in teens taking their own lives, portrayals and reports of suicidal behavior in the mass media have also shown negative influences on those who are exposed to such stimuli.…