Causes of Teen Suicide
Causes of Teen Suicide
There is a serious problem with teens in America. A vital concern that is just behind car accidents and murder. Teenage suicide is a major issue in today’s society; suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life. “According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention suicide is the third leading cause of death among those between the ages 15-24” (“About Teen Suicide”). “What is even more disturbing is that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among ages 10-14” (“Teen Suicide Overview”). “Suicide rates differ between boys and girls” (“About Teen Suicide”). Girls tend to intentionally overdose on drugs or try cutting, while boys “use more lethal methods” (“About Teen Suicide”) like firearms or hanging. Girls attempt suicide twice as often as boys, although boys are four time more likely to die than girls because of the methods they use. Surveys done at high-schools have shown that one in five teens had thought about suicide and one in six had actually made plans for it. There are a number of factors that can cause a teen to commit suicide. Some of the leading causes among teen suicide include depression, drugs and alcohol abuse, physical or sexual abuse, and bullying.
Although depression is the cause of suicide, other factors lead teens to become depressed. There are many reasons why teens get depressed, such as school performance, social life, family life, or being bullied about their sexual orientation. “Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer” (“Depression”). The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one out of every five children suffers from some form of mental illness, usually depression. Kids will often sleep excessively, withdraw from friends and sometimes can also result in criminal behavior. Some signs that kids are depressed are difficulty in concentration, loss of appetite, feelings of guilt, and persistent
There is a serious problem with teens in America. A vital concern that is just behind car accidents and murder. Teenage suicide is a major issue in today’s society; suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life. “According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention suicide is the third leading cause of death among those between the ages 15-24” (“About Teen Suicide”). “What is even more disturbing is that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among ages 10-14” (“Teen Suicide Overview”). “Suicide rates differ between boys and girls” (“About Teen Suicide”). Girls tend to intentionally overdose on drugs or try cutting, while boys “use more lethal methods” (“About Teen Suicide”) like firearms or hanging. Girls attempt suicide twice as often as boys, although boys are four time more likely to die than girls because of the methods they use. Surveys done at high-schools have shown that one in five teens had thought about suicide and one in six had actually made plans for it. There are a number of factors that can cause a teen to commit suicide. Some of the leading causes among teen suicide include depression, drugs and alcohol abuse, physical or sexual abuse, and bullying.
Although depression is the cause of suicide, other factors lead teens to become depressed. There are many reasons why teens get depressed, such as school performance, social life, family life, or being bullied about their sexual orientation. “Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer” (“Depression”). The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one out of every five children suffers from some form of mental illness, usually depression. Kids will often sleep excessively, withdraw from friends and sometimes can also result in criminal behavior. Some signs that kids are depressed are difficulty in concentration, loss of appetite, feelings of guilt, and persistent
Cited: “About Teen Suicide.” Kidshealth. Jan. 2012. Web. 5 Nov. 2012 “Bullying and Suicide – Bullying Statistics.” Bullying Statistics – Teen Violence, Anger, Bullying, Treatment Options. N.p., n.d. 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. “Depression.” Kidshealth. Web. Nov. 2011 Nauert PhD, R “Suicide Statistics & Mythology.” TOOLS for a Happier Life. 5 Apr. 2011. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. Schoenstadt, Arthur. “Teen Depression and Suicide.” Depression.emedtv. 16 Jan. 2009. Web. 7 Nov “Teen Suicide Overview.” Teen Suicide Statistics. Web. 10 Nov. 2012 “Teen Suicide Statistics – Teen Depression.” Teen Depression – Statistics, Prevention, Facts on Teenage Depression. 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Tsivkin, Roman. “What are the causes of Suicide in Teenagers?” Livestrong. 2 Jun. 2010. Web. 10 Nov