Essay, Research Paper: Suicide

Teenage years are the hardest times. Your having changes in
your body, going through relationships, and trying to plan your
future. When you go to look for answers, it seems like no one has
them. That’s what starts teenagers to feel alone. When they feel
this way they will try to “medicate” themselves by drugs and
alcohol or violence. Studies show that teens who feel this way are
at high risk for suicide.
Suicide, intentional, self-inflicted death. A uniquely human
act, suicide occurs in all cultures. People who attempt or complete
suicide usually suffer from extreme emotional pain and distress
and feel unable to cope with their problems. They are likely to
suffer from mental illness, particularly severe depression, and to
feel hopeless about the future.
Suicide is becoming a public-health problem. It is now the
leading cause of death worldwide. Researchers believe mental
illness in young people are the cause of the increase in suicide. Not
only do suicides rates differ between age groups but also men and
women. Men succeed in more suicides but more women attempt.
Methods of suicide can differ from drug overdose to
hanging. Poisoning or overdose is the least amount of suicide
rates. Hanging is the leading method worldwide. The United States
has 60 percent suicides committed by guns. Where it is less easy to
get a gun in Canada there is only 30 percent committed suicides.
Only 15 to 25 percent of those who kill themselves leave suicide
notes. People often think suicide is caused by difficult situations
such as failure in school or marriage. Experts believe those are just
triggers and its really caused by the brain, genetics or social forces.
The majority of people who kill themselves are suffering from
depression. Researchers believe that genetics play a role in suicidal
behavior. They believe it runs in the family. There are also some
psychological theories. “Suicides have three interrelated and
unconscious dimensions: revenge/hate, depression/hopelessness,
and guilt.” said Karl Menninger. Many suicide attempts are a cry
for help and to try to get attention. Soem socialogical theories
show suicidal people don’t know how to cope with stress well.
They are also probably suffering from a loss of a family member.
There are ways to help prevent suicide. If recongized early you can
get psychiatric help and get on medication. Some risk factors can
be people with mental illnesses, or substance-abuse disorders.
Hopelessness is shown to be the best predictor. Behavioral
disorders also have a higher risk of suicide. These people complete
about 90 percent of suicides. People with this may see suicide as
the only way to a pained existence. Many people feel uneasy
talking about suicide, especially surviving family members and
friends. Most suicides can be prevented because the suicidal state
of mind is usually temporary.
Suicide has a devasting emotional impact on surviving
family members and friends. THe intentional, sudden, and violent
nature of the person’s death often makes others feel abandoned,
helpless, and rejected. A family member or friend may have the
added burden of discovering the body of the suicide victim.
Parents often suffer exaggerated feelings of shame and guilt.
Because of the socail stigma, or shame, surrounding suicide,
survivors may avoid talking to others about the person who died,
and others may avoid the survivors. Despite these extra problems,
research has shown that suicide survivors go through the same
grieving process as other people who have lost someone. They will
eventually recover from grief. Support groups may be helpful for
these survivors.
There is a myth that suicide should not be a topic of conversation
around depresed people because they would put this idea in their
head. Suicide was once a crime. Now no U.S. state considers a
suicide a crime. Helping someone complete suicide is criminally
punishable in several states. Suicide is a permanent solution to a
temporary problem.


Word Count: 643