Persuasive Speech: Teenage Suicide And The Problem Of Teen Suicide

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Teen suicide is a problem. There’s no easy way to say it. People are dying in our very own high schools in Juneau. There are many in our school that don’t even think about the issue. Hell, there are many in our city and state who don’t even consider it. But. Maybe they do. Maybe I’m wrong. There’s no way people are completely oblivious to the idea of suicide, right? After all, Alaska’s suicide rate is over double that of the U.S. national average (Juneau Empire), and 4 times greater for Native American males (Statewide Suicide Prevention Council). But when was the last time somebody started a conversation about suicide with you? When was the last time your parents talked to you about the suicide epidemic, or even mentioned it? Everyone knows …show more content…

If you won’t then there’s absolutely no purpose in reading the rest. I hope that you will continue because each of us that joins this fight could be saving a life. While keeping an open mind, you must consider all of what follows and attempt, in some big or small way, to implement or aid in the implementation of these solutions. Some seem simple, yet simplicity goes a long way. I truly believe that the combination of these little things in our high schools, Juneau-Douglas High School and Thunder Mountain High School, will forever change the social stigma around suicide. These include promoting a positive and connected environment, implementing the necessary programs, actually asking the question about suicide to peers, and recognizing the signs and knowing what to do after. In the words of Janet Reno, Harvard Law graduate and former United States Attorney General, “We can make a …show more content…

One of the scariest risk factors for suicide is the lack of peer social support (Lohmann). It’s what builds up that worthless feeling. I’d like to propose a program. I’ve been looking into a program called We Dine Together, and think it would be a perfect fit for our school to help create that positive environment. The name basically describes the program; students are tasked with breaking social barriers by eating a meal with someone new and inviting others. The goal is to make sure that no one eats alone. It brings all groups of people together to get rid of that “overwhelming sense of unhappiness sourced from a feeling of loneliness” (We Dine Together). The matter I fear is that having a program following that name might spread a sense of pity that we do not want, but the importance of creating an inclusive environment is extremely important. So I may try to enact this program incognito or as a division of another program. Whatever I do, I’ll need your help. You the readers. Follow the principles of this program even if I am not able to formally implement it. In the words of Janet Reno, “when you see wrong, try to right it.” There is definitely something wrong with the feeling you get when you sit alone and eat lunch, so let’s end

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