Over 75% of suicide cases, the intentional termination of a person's life, happen in developed countries. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death worldwide, following homicides and accidents.
Existential themes such as beliefs and the nature of life shape perceptions about suicide. Psychological disorders like alcoholism, depression, or personality ailment are primary risk factors for suicide. Suicide is influenced by demographic, emotional, and cultural determinants (Hawton). Intense behaviors caused by stress from relationship problems, financial difficulties, and bullying are linked to various types of suicide. Those who have previously attempted suicide face a higher risk of future attempts. Individuals aged 70 years or older are most affected by suicide in general terms.
While suicide ideation is not common in children, it becomes more prevalent during adolescence. This stage is marked by
...the challenges of academic and social integration, leading to pressure, anxiety, and stress. It also involves exploring one's sexual identity and building relationships. Furthermore, there is a strong desire for independence that often conflicts with adult rules and regulations.
Discussion
The factors that increase the risks of suicide in teenagers include:
- Previous suicide attempts, which raise the chances of future attempts.
- Lack of support system, such as weak relationships with parents or friends and social isolation.
- Challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals dealing with unsupportive families or societies. Some teenagers may be unable to handle societal expectations and may choose death over living a life that doesn't conform to norms.
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Symptoms of depression indicate
a link between resilience factors and other related risks. Intense depression can manifest differently in different people, including sadness, low self-esteem, irritability, vulnerability, and emotional emptiness.
When faced with intense despair, adolescents often display psychosomatic symptoms and moral dilemmas. It is crucial for these young individuals to seek help for recurring issues like weight loss, chest pain, dizziness, or headaches. Moral challenges may indicate an underlying depression that can manifest as truancy, drug abuse, or self-destructive behavior.
Mental health issues are more common in Western regions compared to Asian countries. These problems can be influenced by socio-economic factors like poverty, prejudice, or lack of job opportunities, which can result in poor living standards for the child's family and negatively affect their learning experience. The child may also feel isolated when surrounded by children from affluent families, leading to hindered academic performance and potential feelings of hopelessness and an increased risk of suicidal tendencies.
Prolonged exposure to societal violence can cause psychological and behavioral problems.
Periodic feelings of loneliness and despair can contribute to engaging in self-destructive actions.
Adolescents who believe they have let down their loved ones may contemplate suicide as their sole choice.
Methods:
The presence of firearms in the
household substantially increases the likelihood of teenage suicide attempts, especially in the United States where approximately 60% of such occurrences take place. Non-prescription drugs and overdoses, often involving sedative-hypnotic medication, are also commonly employed methods for committing suicide.
Bars in certain countries have a significant impact on the occurrence of suicide cases, particularly among older individuals, specifically men who struggle with alcoholism. This group is at a higher risk of attempting suicide. Moreover, approximately 34 percent of heroin users also turn to suicide as an option. Additionally, cigarette smokers are associated with incidents of suicide. However, it should be noted that there is not enough evidence to conclusively establish this correlation.
There is a belief that smoking increases the chances of individuals attempting suicide. Smoking can lead to health issues that contribute to suicidal thoughts and also affects the brain, increasing the risk of suicide. Adolescents may engage in drug sharing with peers, while children who watch television frequently may imitate suicidal behaviors. Furthermore, cases of poisoning caused by bactericides have been documented.
It is a common practice in China for individuals with mental issues like anxiety, depression, or sleepless nights to be at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, which is determined by the morbidity of suicidal technique (Park). Teenagers who undergo major life transformations are particularly vulnerable to considering suicide.
When parents separate or experience financial changes, the risk of suicide varies between females and males. Girls generally have fewer suicidal thoughts compared to boys. However, boys are more susceptible to fatal consequences as they often opt for more dangerous methods like jumping from high places or using firearms.
The Eastern Mediterranean regions have average rates of female
suicide, while China has the highest rates. Individuals who do not identify with their biological sex are at a greater risk.
Social and cultural factors:
While suicides are somewhat accepted in most Western countries, they still remain illegal in most Muslim countries.
In the past, suicide in India was considered unacceptable and survivors often faced legal problems. Within Christianity, suicide is seen as a sin, with mental disorders believed to contribute to suicidal tendencies. Recommendations for parents include being cautious with household medications, keeping firearms unloaded and out of sight from children, and paying attention to warning signs in teenagers such as changes in eating habits or discussions about death. Ignoring a child's need for attention can increase their risk of suicide. Establishing open communication between parents and children fosters love and support. Parents should directly address concerns with their children or seek guidance from a close relative if the child is unresponsive. If parents learn that their child has suicidal thoughts, they should seek help from a psychiatrist. To effectively prevent teenage suicide during critical illness, pediatricians must conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations. Pediatricians play an important role in preventing adolescent suicide by identifying signs of despair, including suicidal behavior. The level of support they provide depends on their knowledge and expertise. It is crucial for pediatricians to have access to community resources related to adolescent mental health. Teens struggling with suicidal thoughts should be reassured that their call for help will be heard.
Pediatricians are advocates who are always ready to assist and address concerns about suicide. There is no evidence indicating that discussing suicide triggers the behavior. To assess the risks of suicide, pediatricians can ask the
following questions:
- Have you ever considered taking your own life because of depression?
- If yes, have you made previous attempts? What method did you use at that time?
These questions can help pediatricians evaluate the risks of suicide and also assess an individual's coping mechanisms and available support systems. Various countries have implemented strategies for preventing suicide (Mann).
The government's general involvement in reducing the issue is evident.
Conclusion
By implementing the aforementioned recommendations and solutions, the number of suicide cases will decrease. Over time, the occurrence of suicide among adolescents is expected to rise due to technological advancements that introduce new factors. For example, social media enables people to fabricate their lifestyles more readily than in the past.
If a teenager does understand this initially, they might feel discouraged and depressed about other people's lifestyle. Parents and health institutions play a significant role in a child's development and should always provide support to help establish a connection.
Works Cited
- AAP News ; Journals. "Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents." AAP News ; Journals (2000).
- Hawton, Keith, Kate EA Saunders, and Rory C. O'Connor. "Self-harm and suicide in adolescents." The Lancet (2012): 2373-2382.
- Mann, J. John, Alan Apter, Jose Bertolote, Annette Beautrais, Dianne Currier, Ann Haas, Ulrich Hegerl. "Suicide prevention strategies: a systematic review." Jama (2005): 2064-2074.
- Mustanski, Brian, and Richard T. Liu. "A longitudinal study of predictors of suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth." Archives of sexual behavior (2013): 437-448.
- Park, Subin, Soo-Churl Cho, Bung-nyung Kim, Jae-Won Kim, Hee Jeong Yoo, and Jin Pyo Hong.
"Increased use of lethal methods and annual increase of suicide rates in Korean adolescents:
comparison with adolescents in the United States." Journal of child psychology and psychiatry (2014): 258-263.
- Suicide Prevention essays
- Adhd essays
- Antisocial Personality Disorder essays
- Anxiety essays
- Bipolar Disorder essays
- Depression essays
- Depression And Anxiety essays
- Dyslexia essays
- Learning Disability essays
- Major Depressive Disorder essays
- Mental Disorder essays
- Mental Illness essays
- Psychosis essays
- Schizophrenia essays
- Stress essays
- Suicide essays
- Teenage Drinking essays
- Teenage Suicide essays