Abstract
This article examines the factors contributing to teenage suicide, including bullying and cyberbullying. It delves into potential solutions and provides related information.
The text discusses a research study conducted in 2015 regarding teenage suicides in 2014. It provides an overview of the study, including statistical data on the findings and identification of the main causes of teenage suicides. The paper also suggests activities that can help treat suicidal teenagers. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between bullying and cyber-bullying and their impact on teenage suicides in today's society.
Introduction
In our society, teen suicide is a significant problem. Research has shown that it is the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 24.
This text examines the root causes of accidents, homicides, and teenage suicides. The primary risk factor for suicide is mental illness, which can be exacerbated by various
...social, psychological, and environmental factors. Factors such as stressful life events, age, gender, ethnicity, and family dynamics all contribute to suicidal tendencies. In addition to these factors, a clinical study conducted in 2016 identified depression and psychiatric disorders, alcohol and substance abuse problems, medical issues, pregnancy or contracting sexually transmitted diseases, experiences of bullying or violence, uncertainty about one's sexual orientation or dealing with a history of suicide in a close family member or friend as additional triggers for suicide. Effective treatment options are available for suicidal teenagers through appropriate settings and strategies.
The treatment of teenagers is determined by their symptoms, medical history, and tolerance to therapies. Recent cases of suicide have revealed a strong link between bullying and suicide. Although bullying may appear normal to children, it has detrimental effects on its victims, including the potentia
for suicide.
Teenage suicide statistics
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 24. In 2014, a total of 1,668 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 ended their own lives. The number of teenage suicides in 2014 categorized by age and rates per 10,000 individuals are as follows:
• Age 13 – 132 suicides (3.17 per 100,000)
• Age 14 – 179 suicides (4.23 per 100,000)
• Age 15 – 244 suicides (5.86 per 100,000)
• Age16 – 313 suicides (7.51 per1000,
00
)
• Age17–359 suicides(8 .58per1 ,0
00
)
.
Age18–441 suicides(10 .44per1 ,0
00
).
.
Amongteen suici deathsinthat year63% werewhite maleswhile22%werewhite females.
The text below provides statistics on the demographic breakdown of individuals who committed suicide, highlighting that the majority were white females, white males, black females, and black males. The remaining individuals belonged to either American Indian or Asian backgrounds. Additionally, it reveals that 53% of teenage suicides were linked to alcohol abuse and one-third had previously attempted suicide. Research indicates that out of every 100,000 teenagers, ten will attempt to end their own lives. This high rate emphasizes the need to educate both young people and the general population on how to address and support those facing depression and suicidal tendencies.
Causes of teenage suicide
Determining the causes of teen suicide can be challenging due to various factors involved, especially among young individuals.
Teenagers experience a challenging phase in their lives that can leave them feeling helpless, regardless of the magnitude of their problems. These difficulties may appear insurmountable and overwhelming to them. Notable changes in behavior, such as isolating themselves from loved ones or displaying aggression, are indicators that teenagers may be at risk
of suicide. Understanding the underlying causes of suicide among high school students is essential for parents and psychologists to effectively prevent it.
Major Disappointment
"Encountering significant failure, such as rejection, the loss of a romantic partner, or setbacks in academics and athletics, can trigger thoughts of suicide in teenagers" (Everall & Paulson, 2001). Teenagers struggle with coping with these types of demanding situations.
These events do not directly cause suicide, but they are elements that contribute to a teenager's decision to take extreme actions.
The significance of depression and stress
Depression plays a major part in youth suicide. It can lead to feelings of sadness and worthlessness, which can be especially harmful for young people who experience violence at home or school and feel socially isolated or lack a supportive network of friends.
Around 75 percent of individuals who commit suicide suffer from depression. Stress and depression in teenagers can lead to feelings of hopelessness, unworthiness, and suicidal thoughts.
Substance Abuse
Drug or alcohol abuse can cause reckless behavior, particularly when young people are facing mental health issues or family problems. Teenagers, like adults, may resort to substance abuse as a means of dealing with their challenges; however, this only exacerbates the situation.
Science
Substance abuse and mental illness are major contributors to the majority of suicides. Teenagers who come from families with a history of mental illness or suicide may be at a greater risk of taking their own lives, potentially due to genetic factors that impact brain chemistry. Furthermore, vulnerable teenagers who have been exposed to suicide within their family face an increased likelihood of contemplating suicide.
Low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical, may contribute to suicidal behavior as
it regulates impulsivity. Insufficient serotonin levels can lead to impulsive actions, such as suicide.
Treatment for Suicidal Teenagers
Addressing depression in teenagers is often crucial in preventing teenage suicide. Since 75 percent of suicide attempts are linked to depression, it is advisable to start treatment by focusing on alleviating the symptoms of teenage depression. Seeking professional help can effectively prevent teen suicide.
If you are concerned about your teenager's well-being and want to explore options and treatments for teenage depression, it is advisable to consult a family doctor. Some alternatives to consider include:
Counseling
Both individual and family counseling can be advantageous as they aid teenagers in learning coping strategies and handling the challenges they face (Roleff, 2000).
When families and professionals work together to find effective ways of addressing issues and providing support, the desire to commit suicide in teenagers decreases. Private treatment involves relocating suicidal teenagers to a specialized treatment facility or residential therapeutic school for a period of time, ensuring constant supervision and assistance from trained professionals. Medication may be used as a last resort or alongside other therapies, but it is crucial to acknowledge that medication can have different effects on teenagers. Some studies suggest that antidepressants may increase the risk of teenage suicide for certain individuals.
Before administering any treatment approach, it is essential to take into account the requirements of a teenager. According to Peacock (2000), showing unconditional love and offering emotional support are crucial. It is imperative for adolescents contemplating suicide to experience feelings of love and worthiness, as well as be shown that they can conquer life's obstacles with help.
Bullying and cyber bullying
In recent years, there has been a rise in instances of teenage
suicides linked to bullying, specifically cyber bullying.
The text highlights that innocent teenagers have sadly chosen to end their lives as a result of being subjected to intimidation and hatred by their peers. According to Szumilas and Kutcher (2009), cyberbullying refers to the intentional use of information technology, especially social media, for the purpose of harassing others. This form of bullying has become widespread due to the distribution of private messages, sharing explicit images of victims, and defaming individuals based on their sexual orientation. Such incidents deeply traumatize the victims, driving them towards contemplating suicide. Moreover, these victims may also face bullying in school settings where they endure physical attacks or isolation because of factors such as appearance, sexual orientation, or intellectual abilities.
Research has shown that bullying and suicide are directly related, emphasizing the significance of educating teenagers about the detrimental consequences of both traditional bullying and cyber-bullying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that teen suicide is a serious problem in our society. It is the duty of everyone to come together and address this issue in order to prevent the tragedy of losing young lives with promising futures. The broader community should get involved in raising awareness and offering guidance on how to assist individuals who are grappling with suicidal thoughts.
To effectively reduce the statistics related to teenage suicides, it is recommended that the government establish counseling centers for teenagers who have been reported to have suicidal intentions. These measures are supported by research such as a systematic analysis of quality conducted by Szumilas and Kutcher (2009) in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, as well as the teen suicide research project by Everall and Paulson (2001)
in the Alberta Journal of Educational Research. Further information can be found in Roleff's work.
(2000). Teen suicide. San Diego, Calif: Greenhaven Press.
(2000). Teen suicide. Mankato, Minn: LifeMatters.
(2016). Teen suicide: What parents need to know - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org.
The source of the information is the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308.
