Preventing+Suicide

=﻿Suicide:= Suicide is a way of someone to take their life voluntarily and intentionally. In the world, nearly 1 million people commit suicide each year. Suicide attempts means a person did not successfully kill themselves, but they still managed to try. There around 10 million to 20 million suicide attempts, annually. In the United States, approximately 30,000 people commit suicide each year. This problem is the 8th leading cause of death in males, and the 19th leading cause of death in females.

=﻿Why is it a problem for American teens?= In this modern day, being a teen is not always easy anymore. Teens have been going through life on a constant pace, but now they're starting to gethit with new social roles, new relationships, and new body changes. The feelings that come with being a teen is not always easy too,these include; stress, confusion, pressure to succeed, and self-doubt. For some teens, it may be easier. But for most teens now, it get's harder as life goes on. This can lead to serious issues, such as depression. Depression mainly leaves people with focusing more on their failures and disappointments. It affects their thoughts, and corrupts their minds. Depression also makes them feel constantly like they're not good enough for anybody. It can easily make them lead to another serious issue. That is suicide. It's hard for teens to realize that they're even depressed, until they get to the point where they want to committ suicide. Teens feel like they need to escape a feeling, or situation through suicide. It's mostly a problem because teens don't know how to live with themselves, or their feelings anymore, and they find a way out of it.

=﻿It happens:= The most confusing question is why does it happen? Even though it's a common question, it's also unexplainable in most cases. Teens go through alot of problems growing up. Some teens might suffer from divorce, being unfinancially stable, and having the loss of a loved one. A suicide attempt is a clear indication that something is really wrong in a person's life. Also, a big process that can causes suicides, is bullying. Some people think it's fun to do things that can hurt someone's feelings. Bullying is when someone does things repeatedly to make someone else feel belittled. Just remember, the bully may also have serious depression, or something to make them feel like someone else should pay for what they're going through. In both cases, they can easily think suicide is a way out of their problems.

=﻿Statistics:= These statistics are very important because it shows a bigger picture of who is actually committing suicides. It also shows who counselors and parent should be talking to about their problems.
 * Of all deaths, 1.3% is from suicide.
 * Every 17 minutes, an attempted suicide occurs.
 * An elderly person dies by suicide every 1 hour and 37 minutes, on average.
 * A young person around the ages, 15-24, dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
 * Eleventh leading cause death for Americans.
 * Third leading cause of death for young people; 15-24 year old.
 * Fifth leading cause of death for young people; 5-14 year old.
 * Second leading cause of death for college students.
 * Eighth leading cause of death for males.
 * Nineteenth leading cause of death for females.
 * More males die from suicide than females.
 * There are more people who die from suicide than from homicide.
 * 73% of all suicide deaths are white males.
 * 80% of all firearm suicide deaths are white males.
 * The highest rates are suicide deaths for Caucasian men over 85.

[] =﻿Who does it affect:= In most cases, it affects teenagers from the ages 15-24. It also affects, elderly people, and adults from 30-50 years of age. You may not know it, but your family member, or even your best friend could be having suicidal thoughts, and they've never told you. Keeping a look out on teenagers should be a good idea now a days, because the more you realize, the more suicides we've been having. Suicide affects any one and everyone. This is regardless of your race, culture, gender, or color. 30-70 percent of America suffer from depression and bipolar disorder. This effects they way they think, and how they feel about things.

=﻿Who is at risk:= It's possible to know when someone is feeling bad about themselves, or they had a sudden change in their attitude. This could mean they're at risk of attempting of or comitting suicide. People who have serious mental and emotional issues also have a higher risk of committing suicide. People who suffer from alcoholism and drug abuse also have a high risk, because they use these substances for coping, but sometimes it isn't enough, and they find the easy way out.If someone has had previous suicide attempts, keep an eye on them. Mainly because, they're at a high risk of committing suicide.Also, if you'd had a history of suicides in you family, you're at risk. People who have been picked on constantly for their religion, race, beliefs, and their sexuality.

=Coping skills:= Having suicidal thoughts is not a character defect. It does not mean that you're becoming crazy, weak, or flawed. It just means that you have more pain going on than you can deal with at this point in time. Some helpful tips to help cope with suicidal thoughts is wait it out. Tell someone you're going to wait 24-hours and see what happens. You can even possibly say you'll wait a week. Thoughts and taking action are completely two different things. Your thoughts don't have to become reality and no is there pushing you for them to be. Make sure to put distance between your suicidal thoughts. Stay away from alcohol and drugs. When you're abusing these substances, your suicidal thoughts will increase majorly. In your home, remove whatever objects you could possibly use to attempt or hurt yourself. A big coping skill is talking about your thoughts and problems with someone you trust, and is close. Don't let embarrassment, fear, and being shameful get to you. Talking to someone can definitely lead you in a different direction than what you started in. Just reach out for help, and you're bound to change our mind, even if you did have it set on suicide. Go out with friends and family, that can help you forget what you're going through. Also, write in a journal your thoughts. =Places:= 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) These are numbers you can call, to talk about your problems. These people are all around the United States, and they're open 24 hours. They want to help. Also, finding a counselor to talk to, or joining a help group can make you feel much better about things. Avoid the feeling that you're crazy because you have to see a therapist, or counselor. Talking to someone can help you realize that your problems aren't worth ending your life over, and you will get through what ever life throws at you. Even if life get's hard, there are easier ways to get help.

=Solutions for teens:= There is no set solution for teens. If you're having suicidal thoughts, talk to someone. Maybe even your doctor. Finding someone who can talk with you through anything can help big time. It may be easier for someone to go to a close friend, because they know more about you than anything. When you're feeling negative, say something positive. Be willing to go to support groups, therapist, counselors, or just a place where you can sit down and talk about things. Don't thinkt that going to a place like is because you're crazy, just know that these support groups can help you. The more help you get, the more better you're going to feel afterwards. Things might not change right away, but through time, you'll see progression. Don't think that your child is right away going to forget about suicide. It takes a teenager awhile to realize things, and it will definitely take a teenager awhile to forget about suicide.

=Solutions for schools:= School is a place where students spend most of their day. Some suicidal thoughts could be because of school. Sometimes students feel that if they're not making the grades their parents want, that they're worthless. This can definitely lead to a student to start feeling suicidal. If spoken of suicide by a student, don't take it lightly. It is a very serious thing. The school staff should create an enviorment so students can feel safe sharing their suicidal information. If a student was to tell a staff member how they've been feeling lately, the teacher or staff member should sit there and listen to what they have to say. After the feelings have been said, don't tell anyone else. Immediately call his/her parents to notify them. After the parent knows how their child is feeling, it is the parents responsiblity to make sure the child gets mental and emotional help. If another student hears a student talk about how they want to die, or end their life because problems at home, immediately take action. Don't don't be afraid to tell an adult. This is not tattle-taling, this is just being a good a peer to someone. []

=Solution for parents:= Talk to your child about how they're feeling about things. Ask them questions, and make sure you tell them how important they are to you. This can boost their self-esteem and help them realize that you need them in life. Make them feel wanted, and not a burden. They can easily change how they act if you just take in their feelings and help them. Especially, coming from a parent. Parents are the most important person in a teens life, and knowing you're always going to be there when times are hard, then they'll realize that they'll have something to look forward to in the future. Parents should also continue to take all threats seriously. Don't blow off any remarks about ending one's life. Making a daughter/son feel stupid, worthless, or helpless can easily set off suicidal thoughts. Sit down and talk with your child as well. You may not be a professional at this, but sitting with them and listening to what they have to say is a big step. Don't freak out if they mention suicide, just make sure and tell them that you're always going to be there, and suicide isn't the way out. Tell them you'll help them with their problems. Little things like this can bring them back to reality.

=Quotes:= In the beginning, Romeo had thought that Juliet was really dead. So he decided to get poison to drink to end his life as well. When Juliet woke up, she found Romeo dead. Since there was no poison left, she had taken Romeos dagger and stabber herself. This reflects back to suicide because they both gave their life because they both had lost someone they really loved.
 * //"Here's to my love,[Drinks.] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss, I die. [Falls]" -Romeo//**
 * //"Yea, noise? Then, i'll be brief. O happy dagger! [Snatches Romeo's dagger.] This is thy shealth; there rust and let me die. [She stabs herself and falls.]" -Juliet//**

=Citations:= Pital, Ria. "Care for loved one." Prevent suicides. http://topnews.us/content/243333-care-loved-one-prevent-suicide (accessed September 28, 2011).Watkins, Carol. "Suicide In School." Suicide in Youth. http://www.baltimorepsych.com/Suicide.htm (accessed September 28, 2011)."Why do people commit suicide." CapeFearHealthOrginaztion. http://www.capefearhealthyminds.org/library.cgi?article=1115921805 (accessed September 28, 2011). Shakespeare, William. //Shakespeare, William//. 1562. (accessed September 29, 2011).
 * (Shakespeare 1562, 841-842)