Essay, Research Paper: Suicide

"Why do people commit suicide? People usually attempt suicide to block unbearable emotional pain, which is caused by a wide variety of problems. (rockhford.org).
More people die from suicide than from homicide in the United States. It is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States and the third leading cause of death among persons 15 to 24 years of age. Every day approximately 86 Americans commit suicide, and 1,500 people attempt to commit suicide. A study done by John L. McIntosh for American Association of Suicidology states “[on] Average 1 person killed themselves every 16.9 minutes.” (http://www.suicidology.org/index.html). “Suicide is the eighth leading cause of all deaths.” (http://www.spanusa.org/problem.htm).
Statistics you read on a day-to-day basis never seem real enough. You would never think that someone that you love might one day be part of them until one day it happens to someone you love. Often people who kill themselves are severely depressed, they feel hopeless and helpless. It is said that suicide is a cause of clinical depression and without help the person that you love can not find another way to make the hurt and the pain disappear. What causes depression? Depression can be “triggered by a complex combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors.” (http://www.save.org/student.shtml). In other words, depression can be caused by changes in the brain chemistry. “Depression is not a character flow or sign of personal weakness. To understand what depression is, it is important to recognize the symptoms:
· Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
· Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
· Irritability, anger, worry agitation, anxiety
· Pessimism, indifference
· Loss of energy
· Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
· Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
· Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
· Unexplained aches and pains
· Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
NDMDA 5/00



Bibliography


"why people commit suicide..." rockford.org
"Average 1 person killed..." Suicididology.org
"Suicide is the leading..." www.suicide.mentalhelp.net


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