Teen Suicide Prevention

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The rate of teen suicide is rising in the United States. In a recent study surveying high school students 60 percent admitted that they thought about killing themselves, and about nine percent admitted to trying at least one. This is an alarming rate. Why do students this young want to die. I don’t understand why they can’t see that maybe after high school life changes. Life can’t possibly be this bad as a teenager but apparently at that age you think that their world is coming to an end for various reasons. It is stated that “Boys commit suicide more often than girls” aap.org I think this is because boys suicide’s are often more successful than girls suicides.



Why has the rate of teen suicide gone up in recent years?

· It’s easier to get the tools for suicide (ex: boys often us guns and girls often use pills)
· The pressures of modern life are greater
· Competition for good grades and college admissions is tough
· There’s more violence in the newspapers and on television

aap.org

Another reason for the rate is the lack of parental interest in their children. Many children in the United States live in a non nuclear family. Each person’s family is different than the next especially in current times. Many children live in single parent or divorced homes and it is hard for children to cope with because there is only one parent there. Also children can grow up with parents that are never around to take care of them which is very tough on a child because they need to learn about the real world quick in order to survive. According to a study about “90 percent of suicidal teen-agers believed their families did not understand them…they also reported that when they tried to tell their parents about their feelings of unhappiness or failure their parents denied their point of view” aap.org. This is showing that parents are not listening and giving their children the attention and support they need when they dare down.


What signs are there to see if my teenager is depressed or thinking about suicide?

Has their personality changed dramatically?
Are they having trouble with his relationships?
Has the quality of school work gone down?
Do they always seen bored, and have trouble concentrating?
Have they run away from home?
Do they talk about suicide, even in a joking manner?
Have they tried to commit suicide before?
Have their appearance changed for the worse?
Are they giving away their things?

aap.org

If you think that you know someone thinking about suicide don’t remain silent. Suicide is preventable but you need to help immediately.

What should I do?

· Ask about it. Don’t be afraid to say suicide it may open the door to them letting you help them.
· Tell them you care about them and tell them that no matter how bad your problems are they can be fixed or worked on and that you are willing to help them through it.
· Ask about how they feel and listen carefully.
· Get professional help from a outpatient or hospital based treatment program.