Teenage Suicide Term Papers and
Research Papers
Man Suicides amid young people worldwide have increased considerably in past
some years. Thousands of teenagers commit suicide only in USA alone. Till late
nineties suicide in USA was the third most important reason of death of teen
age. It was also the sixth principal cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds [Teen
Suicide]. There seems to be some deficiency in public awareness, which requires
promotion of intervention strategies, and improve research. A lot has already
been done in this regards paying attention to the subject of teenage suicide.
Suicide among a nation’s youth is reflective of the circumstances in which the
youth is vulnerable to self-destructive emotions. More than 30,000 people in USA
commit suicide each year, and 5,000 out of these are teenagers. There has to be
a cause for this action and it is found that one out of every eight teenagers
experience depression, which is not noticed and depressive symptoms are often
incorrectly described. (coolnurse.com) The behavioral outline will have to be
established in the conditions of suicide victims, anxiety, uncertainty, the
stress to achieve something, and financial insecurity is normal emotions that
many teens feel. More teenagers and young adults have died of suicide than from
cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, chronic lung disease,
pneumonia and influenza combined. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death
for all persons regardless of age, sex or race; the third leading cause of death
for young people aged 15 to 24; and the fourth leading cause of death for
persons between the ages of 10 and 14. (Friday, 1995)
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The Effects Of Teenage Suicides On Society
Suicide has a distressing emotional impact on society as a whole; present family
members and friends in particular. The deliberate, unexpected, and aggressive
way of the young death always makes others feel discarded, weak, and redundant.
A family member or friend may have the additional burden of finding out the body
of the suicide victim. Parents often undergo inflated feelings of disgrace,
guilt and responsibility. Because of the social dishonor or shame the people
surrounding immediate relatives of suicide, survivors generally avoid talking to
others about the teenage that died, and others may avoid the survivors.
Regardless of these added problems, the suicide survivors also go through the
same sorrowful course as other bereaved family members and ultimately recover
from grief but it takes a long time. In this exercise some psychiatric treatment
and support groups’ assistance may be predominantly supportive for grieving
suicide survivors.
Causes of Teenage Suicide
The causes that compel the teens to commit suicide differ extensively; there are
some common situations and circumstances that seem to lead to such extreme
actions. These include discontentment, denunciation, disappointment and
collapse, or failure such as breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend,
non-success in a critical exam, or see family disorder. Because the overwhelming
majority of the teen ages who commit suicide have mental disarray and they are
not capable to perceive what exactly the problem is and that that their life can
change. They are unable to make out that suicide is not an enduring solution to
their problem. The common reasons for suicide are actually the initiators for
suicide. Mental and substance-related disorders are because of the specific
genes, which commonly affect those who end up committing suicide, run in
families. The specific brain chemistry of those who commit suicide indicates
that those who have attempted suicide may also have low levels of the brain
chemical Serotonin. That helps control impulsivity, and low levels of the brain
chemical are believed to cause more impulsive behavior. Suicides by the teen age
are often committed out of desire. Antidepressant drugs affecting Serotonin are
used to treat depression, impulsivity, and suicidal thoughts. (nami.org)
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Warnings and Symptoms
80 percent of all who commit suicide do give some warning of their intent.
Because most who commit suicide have a mental or substance-related disorder,
they often have difficulty coping with major disappointment, rejection, or
failure. [Mary Beth Harper]. Generally the symptoms of suicidal feelings are
similar to those of depression. The early warnings and signs, which are visible
amongst teen age that may try to kill them, include some or all of the
following: -
• There is a change in their eating and sleeping habits.
• They feel withdrawn and remain detached from friends, family, and normal
activities.
• The behavioral change reflects violent and insubordinate behavior. Some time
they indulge in use of drug and alcohol.
• It has also been seen that they tend to neglect their personal look giving an
indication of noticeable personality change.
• It will also be seen that they continually remain in a state of monotony
feeling difficulty in giving concentration towards studies and marked decline in
the quality of schoolwork is observed.
• The complaints about physical and medical symptoms, related to stomachaches,
headaches, fatigue, etc are some times also made by the teenage who tend to feel
depressed.
• The potential teenage that is to commit suicides just loses interest in
enjoyable and pleasing activities.
• They also do not accept praise or rewards.
A teenager who is determined to commit suicide may also criticize him self of
being a bad person or having feeling of being totally useless and for this
speaks also and hints with statements ‘ there will be no more problem for you
after some times. Such child also starts putting the disorders of his routine
affairs in order, for instance, giving away much loved possessions, keep the
room clean, throw away vital belongings and suddenly becomes happy and cheerful
after a period of depression. These are the sure signs of hallucinations. (okpsych.com)
The behavioral indicators that can help recognize the threat of suicide in a
teenage. As mental and substance-related disorders so frequently accompany
suicidal behavior, many of the cues can be found instantly such as depression,
bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. Difficulty while falling
asleep or wanting to sleep all day can also be a sign beside sadness,
irritability, or indifference Unfortunately, a lot of these signs go unchecked
and at the same time as one is suffering from one of these symptoms certainly
does not essentially mean that one is suicidal. It is best to communicate openly
with a loved one who has one or more of these behaviors, especially if they are
strange for that teenage. Many of those who commit suicide talked about it
beforehand. Only 33 percent to 50 percent were identified by their doctors as
having a mental illness at the time of their death. Roughly one-third of teens
that die by suicide made a previous suicide attempt as well. (nami.org)
Prevention and Treatments
In order to prevent the suicide the symptoms and the signs should be taken very
seriously. Any indicator noticed unusual be dealt with immediately. The
responsibility largely lies on the parents and teachers beside friends. Lack of
interest by any of these will certainly be reason to fail avoids a suicide.90
percent of suicidal teen-agers believed their families did not understand them
because those children grew up in divorced family or their parent’s work and
their families spend limited time together. Therefore ignoring the children can
lead towards disastrous act of suicide. [Some Things You Should Know]. The
parents should listen to the child’s problems, feelings of unhappiness or
failure and their point of view should not be denied.
If the child shows different behavior it should considered assign of some
trouble specifically once the child is depressed. His personality change be
monitored and if is withdrawn from close friends must be taken care of. The sex
behavior must be kept under observations and the sleeping and eating habits if
found different must be checked. To prevent the accidents it is vital that the
child’s dressing pattern, and appearance must be seen closely. If the teen-age
is suspected and might be thinking about suicide, a quick reaction is needed and
the child be asked about the nature of worry. The child should be assured of the
capabilities possessed. The child should be told of his responsibilities and
should be made part of the family decision making process. (aap.org)
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All lethal weapons from your home, including guns, pills, kitchen utensils and
ropes etcetera should be removed from the home and professional assistance can
be sought. The child and adult women who were abused physically or emotionally
are more liable to have mental problems, suffer from depression and to have
attempted suicide. (Mullen, 1996)
Sometimes the friends or family can save the teenage from such thoughts by
understanding the warning signs. Teenage suicide is generally outcome of
dejection. Studies indicate 75 percent of the people who commit suicide give a
warning of their intentions to a friend or a family member and friends and
family should be prepared to listen. Suicidal inclination may also be result of
the trauma, mental illness, or a chemical imbalance. Especially girls' are more
vulnerable and are more likely to commit suicide but their attempts are not
always successful. Males' suicidal attempts are more successful. The friends
should let the person know they care and understand. They should assure the
suicidal person is not alone and that suicidal feelings are temporary. Friends
have lot of responsibility to save the friend. Therefore they should help them
get professional help immediately should contact the teacher or a responsible
adult or parents. (journalism.arizona.edu)
Once a teenage is determined to damage the life should be given a patience
hearing. The possible victim is convinced to believe about the fact that the
state of depression and suicidal desire is damaging for the family, friends and
many other society elements. It is generally felt that depressive disorders
react positively and readily to treatment such as psychotherapy or suitable
medication. Antidepressants are good medicines, which show the effects within
two to three weeks and frequently are used in addition to psychotherapy. 90
percent of all people suffering depression respond to these
treatments.(okpsych.com) The most vital thing to do is exchange of a few words
with the teen candidly and repeatedly. Discussing the problem of suicide without
showing distress or displeasure. This discussion demonstrates the individual
being serious and responding to the severity of the anguish. It should not be
taken for granted that an individual who is determined to finish the life cannot
be blocked. The most severely effected person possesses mixed outlook about
death and remains unable to make up the mind until the very last moment. The
majority of the suicidal people do not desire death, they wish for the ache to
discontinue. (colemanprof.com)
Works Cited
Teen Suicide American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal no, 10
11/98,
http://www.aacap.org/
Suicide is Forever, November 11, 2001,
http://www.coolnurse.com/suicide.htm
Friday, J.C., Ph.D., "The Psychological Impact of Violence in Underserved
Communities," Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Vol. 6, No.
4, 1995, pp. 403-409.
Nami, Teenage Suicide, November 11, 2001,
http://www.nami.org/
Mary Beth Harper Teenage Suicide: No Action Is Too Extreme, November 11, 2001,
http://www.colemanprof.com/teensuicide.htm
Some Things You Should Know About Preventing Teen Suicide, This site was last
updated on 11/06/02,
http://www.aap.org/
Mullen, P.E." Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 7-21, 1996,
Veronica Guzman, Teenage Suicide, November 11, 2001, http://journalism.arizona.edu/chronicle/2000/articles/suicide.html
Teen age suicide, Last modified: May 29, 2002
http://www.okpsych.com/ptsd.htm
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