Teenage suicides are devastating, not only to the victims, but to families, friends and all who know the victims. Statistical data show the rise and decline in teenage suicide ages 15 to 24 as far back as 1952. The causes, symptoms and risk factors are the things to be noted. Studies indicate that young men commit suicide at a higher rate than young women. There are economic as well as social surroundings that play a major role in placing teenagers at a higher risk of suicide. Researchers are finding that medical conditions undiagnosed or left untreated, are contributing to the rates of teenage suicides. Other researchers are finding that warning signs are going unnoticed and with the assistance of school workers, doctors, and peers and above all, parents, watching such signs can make a dramatic change in the rates of teenage suicides. Appropriate funding for prevention programs, family as well as school interventions can make a difference between life and death in a teenager who may be considering suicide.
Various studies indicate that economic as well as social problems play a role in teenagers trying to commit suicide. it seems the lower the socioeconomic state is, the higher the risk for teenage suicides is. Other studies indicate that warning signs and symptoms are going unnoticed or untreated. Family histories, drugs, alcohol abuse, all play major roles and school workers, doctors, teachers, parents and so forth all need to be able to recognize and diagnose such problems and try and reduce teenage suicide rates .Many authors agree that social economic status affects the overall suicide rates among teenagers. They also agree that rural areas, sparsely populated areas in communities that have experienced historical trauma and cultural losses individuals or teens living in the lowest socioeconomic areas are more than five times the risk of suicide compared to others.
Each and every psychologist also agrees that risk factors involving family histories of suicidal attempts, teenagers being exposed to drugs, alcohol, feelings of hopelessness, depression and mental disorders are risk factors that should be diagnosed and treated as a way in prevention methods. They also believe that factors leading to a decision to commit suicide are triggers such as mental illness, emotional, family turmoil and so forth.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), teenage suicides have been on the rise from 1952 to l 992. Teenage suicides are the third leading cause of death in teenagers' ages 15 to 24, and young men commit suicide at a higher rate than women in over 30 countries. From the 1950s through 1998, youth suicide rates in the United States have nearly tripled . Some reasons for such a trend are the loss of traditions, support, and teenagers can no longer rely on their parents as role models. This data indicates that mental illnesses are more prominent now in teenagers and is approaching 20% , compared to 10-12% in the 1960s.
There are many risk factors that can influence why a teenager may want to commit suicide and these include age, gender, cultural and social influences, mental illness, recent losses, family histories of suicides, prior suicide attempts, peer pressure, family violence, sexual violence and so forth. One such risk factor is the access to the means. Teenagers in the United States succeeded in killing themselves at a rate of 2.5% due to the easy acess to guns at home of from their peers.
Teenagers are not immune to the economic state or their social surroundings and the effect it has on their way of thinking or looking at the future. Teenagers surveyed in one study showed results that indicated the lower the socioeconomic status, the higher the risk for teenagers and showed that they had more than five times risk of committing suicide . Studies have shown that have linked socioeconomic factors and suicide risks to sexual orientation, social disadvantages, sexual abuse, and so forth. Over 90% of victims are found to have at least one mental health disorder. Teenagers being exposed to alcohol, drugs and other substance abuses are at a greater risk of committing suicide. Hopelessness. suffering, depression, and mental disorders are going undiagnosed or untreated. Separation or divorces of parents cause undue stress on teenagers.
Family histories of suicide attempts and teenagers who have attempted suicide before are at a greater risk for a second suicide attempt. Risk factors, such as which populations are at an elevated risk and which risk and positive factors could be targeted for preventing suicide. There are various causes that could be contributing to teenagers committing suicide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008, surveyed students in grades 9-12, and found that 14.5% of teenagers in the US. have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months; 18.7% of teenagers were females; 10.3% of those teenagers were males; 11.3% of teenagers made a plan about how to commit suicide. Another result was that 6.9% of teenagers made at least one attempt that resulted in injury and required medical treatment.
Our children are our future. Studies that have shown suicide rates among our teenagers over the years have been at epidemic levels. There is a great need for federal, state, and local government involvement. Schools, universities, parents. communities and so forth need to become aware of the causes, symptoms and address the teenagers’ needs accordingly. Reducing teenage suicide rates will be challenging, but by identifying risk factors, intervention and preventive treatment programs, funding and practices will definitely make a difference. Ending teenage suicides should be an attainable goal.
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