Teen Suicide

To be or not to be?It's a question that's thundered throughout history and one that pulses inside each of us,at one

time or another in our lives.Still,never has its pulse been more profound or its pull more compelling than for young people in America today.Just consider some numbers."Teens suicide attempts and completions have risen steadily since the 1960's. Surveys have found that 25% of the highschool students and 10% of college students -a rate four times that of 1950-have seriously considered suicide. Suicidal teens generally fall into one of three groups:well-aggressive, or self-destructive. Therefore, any teen who mentions committing suicide should be taken seriously."(Teen Suicide,2000)

What type of people are more likely to attempt suicide?

Well adjusted,but living with stressful situations.They may be having difficulty in coping with a sudden crisis their parents' divore,for example, or the death of a friend. Failuer in school, a romantic break-up, or and other major loss could also serve as trigger.

Prepared or anxious. People who feel stressed out or emotionally down are at much higher risk of suicide. And the risk is higher still with emotional problems are coupled with substance abuse or interpersonal loss.

Impulsive, aggressive,or self-destructive. Run-always and drug and alcohol abusers often let in this high-risk group. Teen suicide attempts are usually implusive acts, and they're link to Propulsive Kids.

Other factors also play a role, and some have different impact than you might expect.On the other hand,

gender does seem to be an important factor.Many young people who are confused about their sexual potency-

or who have experienced sexual guilt or embarrassment -can see suicide as a ...

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...le ofv years ago I had an eye-opening conversation during a long bus ride with a 19-yaers-old West Texas rancher's daughter whose unhappy home life (mother divorced five times,molested by mom's "boyfriends" and a policeman) had led her to seriously contemplate killing herself.This youngwoman's searing real-life experiences contrasted starkly with the poplar hypeon how movies and rock 'n' roll songs cause teen suicide.of the four Montana teen suicides I'd reported on, friends told me two had listenedto classical music and jazz,one to top-40 rock,and the fourth idolized the saccharine "lean on Me",distinctly not about killing oneseft. I asked this young woman if she had a favorite song that made her think of suicide.she replied,yes;"fade to black."red flag.The very Metallica song singled out by Tipper's Parents Music Resource Center for promoting kids' self-dispatch.