Teenage Suicide

Teenage Suicide


     Suicide is intentional self-inflicted acts that end in death("Suicide,"

Compton's).  After a series of traumatic events, normal coping abilities can be

pushed over the edge; the result may be suicide.  In each year, an average of

30,000 suicide deaths occur in the United States.  It is estimated that 5,000 of

those suicides are committed by teenagers(SA\VE, 2).  One major reason that the

suicide rate among teenagers is so high, is that the teenage years are a period

of commotion.  New social roles are being learned, new relationships are being

developed, bodily changes are occurring, and decisions about the future are

being made during the teenage years.

       Teenagers tend to commit suicide after large changes, significant losses,

or abuse has occurred in their lives. An important change in a relationship,

school or body image may contribute to a teenagers' tendency to commit suicide.

The death of a loved one, the loss of a valued relationship, and the loss of

self esteem are some significant losses which might be a factor in teen

suicide("The Real World [Suicide:  Facts]," 1).  Perceived abuse such as

physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, social abuse or neglect can lead to

self-murder("Teen Suicide," 3).  Significant changes, losses, and abuse can

promote suicidal tendencies.

     Few suicidal people have some type of depression, yet those who have one

can be provoked to commit suicide.  There are two main types of depression

suffered by suicidal people("Suicide," {Grolier}).  The first type is reactive

depression.  This type of depression is the reaction of a difficult and often

traumatic experience. Endogenous depression is the second type of depression.

It is the result of a mental illness which is diagnosable by a professional.

Some suicidal people have a combination of both reactive depression and

endogenous depression.  Others could have a depression which is undiagnosed.  A

persistent sad mood, thoughts of suicide, persistent physical pains that do not

respond to treatment, difficulty concentrating, irritability and fatigue are

some symptoms of depression(American Psychiatric Association, 4).  If a person

has four or more of the symptoms lasting for more than two weeks, that person

could have a type of depression. Those people with mental illnesses such as

schizophrenia and clinical depression have much higher suicide rates than

average(Tom Arsenault, 2).

     Teenagers display warning signs of suicide.  The indications come in two

ways.  First exhibited are the early warning signs.  These signs include

difficulties in school, depression, drug abuse, sleep and eating disturbances,

and a loss of interest in activities.  Restlessness, feelings of failure,

overreaction to criticism, overly self-critical, anger, and a preoccupation with

death or Satan are also some signals teenagers contemplating suicide will

give("Teen Suicide,"  3).

        The other type of clues are late warning signs. Talking about death,

neglecting appearance, a feeling of hopelessness, a sudden improvement in

personality, and giving away possessions are some of the typical late warning

signs given by a suicidal teenager("Teen Suicide," 4).  Not everyone who

portrays these symptoms is suicidal.  In order to know if a person is really

thinking about committing suicide, someone needs to ask them.  Offering other

ways to
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