Research+Paper

Teen suicide is a major problem in all parts of the world, and is extremely tragic. Teens and kids who have access to firearms or other weapons have an increased chance of suicide; almost 60% of teen suicides in America are committed with a gun (Knok). Family and friends are greatly affected when a teen commits suicide. Some causes of teen suicide are depression and lack of attention or if they feel rejected. Some preventive measures are to give your child a lot of attention and to watch for warning signs. Approximately 31,000 Americans kill themselves each year, even more people fill the emergency rooms for attempted suicide (Woodward). Mostly people between the ages ten and twenty-four commit or attempt suicide. Males are four times more likely to commit suicide than girls, while girls //attempt// suicide two to three times more than men. Estimated 90-95% of suicides are normally associated with a history of mental illness, and most of the time depression. When teens or kids have access to firearms or other weapons it increases the chance of suicide. For those of you who don’t know what a firearm is, it could be anything from a little handgun to a big AK47. The leading cause of teen suicide is depression or bipolar disorder (Knok). Many teens are depressed because of school and the way they are treated by people. Children and teens with depression or bipolar disorders normally can become confused and hopeless quickly. Bipolar disorders cause teens to act up and try to get attention more than normal, they seem to get “snappy” at times also (O’Conner). There are many different signs of teen depression; some of these signs are isolated behavior, acting up at school, different sleeping and eating habits, self-neglect, and loss of concentration (Woodward). Teens sometimes try alcohol and other drugs to help themselves feel better, yet the drugs and alcohol make them feel even more depressed. There are also other causes of teen suicide, if they do not get a lot of attention they soon get the feeling of neglect and that they are not wanted. If a child has been abused or has a history of attempted suicides they are at higher risk (Woodward). Homosexual teens with unsupportive family or community, or if they are joked at school about it, are at a greater risk and two to three times more likely to commit suicide (Woodward). As a teen they need attention, many people just think that they will be okay without all the attention. Parents may think “Well as a teen they are going to want to always be with friends and they do not want me around or bothering them.” Well you are wrong. Whether they act like it or not they want you to be there and at least act like you care. Some teens only have one parent because of divorce or something else and that makes it harder on them. They might feel neglected by that one parent, maybe even unloved (Mullen). As a teen there is a lot of stress, between trying to fit in at school and keeping up with class work. Stress could come from many things like peer pressure, bad living situation, parents arguing often. Peer pressure is also a big thing that may cause them to think about suicide; peer pressure normally has to do with drugs, alcohol, or even sex. Alcohol and drugs have a something in them that make you feel more depressed or even make you act in a violent manner. There are many ways to prevent teen suicide. If you are a parent and your teen looks or acts depressed you should probably keep an eye out for warning signs. If your teen begins having trouble getting along with friends and family, or if they withdraw from the people that he used to feel close to. Are they beginning to fail their classes and get bad grades? Do they always seem to be bored or seem to have a hard time concentrating? Have they ever talked to you have running away or have they ran away from home before? If you notice your child has been writing poems or stories about death and if they are giving away things that they love the most, which might be a sign (O’Conner). If your teen is showing any signs of depression or you may think they could be planning suicide then confront them. Do not be afraid to ask them about it or say the word “suicide,” it might help them talk about their feelings. If he or she seems down let them know that what ever is going on can be fixed and that things will get better. If they decide they want to talk about their feelings or something that is going on, no matter how busy you are; talk to them it will help them to be able to get things out in the open. Listen to everything that they have to say and try not to get mad at them about what ever it is. If you think that your child is thinking about attempting suicide you should get help immediately. You could contact your child’s doctor, a psychologist or psychiatrist, or even your local hospital. It doesn’t really matter where out of those four places you decide to go as long as you try to get the help. If you think that your teen is in an emergency situation you can take them to your local emergency room. They will do a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and tell you the appropriate person, or people to get in contact with. If you schedule an appointment with a mental health professional and your child says that they are feeling better you should still take them. No matter how many times they tell you that they feel better it is always better to go ahead and take them because suicidal thoughts come and go. If your child says that they do not want to go and they refuse then you should talk to the mental health professional about this and they will try to help. Teens that feel isolated, misunderstood, devalued, or suicidal will have even more troubles if they have conflicts and arguments with their parents.