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Teen suicide causes and prevention
Essay on LGBT youth and suicide
The causes and effects of teenage suicide
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In September of 2011, a 14-year-old boy from Williamsville, New York named Jamey Rodemeyer took his own life. Rodemeyer’s suicide may have been the result of years of bullying and harassment, having faced hateful comments and gay slurs in school and online (Praetorius 2011). Rodemeyer was not alone. September of 2010 was particularly deadly for young gay students with a number of suicides: Billy Lucas (15), Seth Walsh (13), Tyler Clementi (18), Harrison Chase Brown (15), Asher Brown (13), and Caleb Nolt (14) (Eliason 2011). According to the American Psychological Association (2013), rates of suicide among people ages 15 to 24 have been increasing at an alarming rate. Risk factors for suicide include depression and other mental disorders. Specifically, young people who are unable to cope with the challenges of adolescence develop a severe vulnerability to mental disorders caused by stressors like disciplinary problems, interpersonal losses, family violence, sexual orientation confusion, physical and sexual abuse, and being the victim of bullying (American Psychological Association 2013). While it is understood that suicide is not unique to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, research suggests that elevated rates of suicidal behaviors exist in LGBT youth (Bagley & Tremblay …show more content…
The evidence compiled in this essay suggests that the suicide rate among LGBT youth is comparatively higher than that of the general population due to the damaging social environment in and out of school and within the family, as well as an increased risk of mental
Karmen is a 50-year-old married who told her psychiatrist that she was considering suicide through overdosing on Advil. She complains of severe back pain that has left her with a “poor mood”. She talked about the injury for a long period of time. When doctors did not validate her injury, she described feeling abandoned. Karmen had gained weight and was upset about that. She did not take making suicidal comments seriously and often just used them as a threat towards her husband. She craved the attention of the doctors, and was flirtatious with the person who interviewed her. Karmen’s husband said that she talked about suicide on a regular basis. Karmen became sexually active early in life and has always gone for older men.
They develop four main themes surrounding their finds: leaving aggressive social environments, facing 'coming out' in meaningful ways, remembering the social environment, and turning challenges into opportunities and strengths (Askura and Craig 2014: 254-5). Asakura and Craig confirm that life did not automatically get better for these participants. They conclude, “future activism and media campaigns should incorporate stories on how LGBTQ people’s lives are getting better and focus on how we as a society can make it better for today’s LGBTQ youths” (Askura and Craig 2014: 265). Asakura and Craig cover detailed information and exceptional insight to whether or not the “It Gets Better” campaign has had an impact on LGBTQ youths. In comparison to Kidd’s “Not that There’s Anything Wrong with That: Sexuality Perspectives,” this article gives personal quotes on suicide instead of just insight. This source perceives the argument that life does not automatically get better for LGBTQ youth after watching an inspirational “It Gets Better” campaign video. However, the question still hangs whether or not the “It Gets Better” campaign has provided enough strength and motivation to decrease the overall amount of LGBTQ youth
As quoted from Plato, “Only the dead have seen the end of the war”. The battle between life and death does not simply end at the close of a war or during a resolution of peace. Rather, in the minds of those who survived the atrocities and terror, it lives on. Yet, as the strife continues to rage, the future of the affected becomes dependent on their decision to continue to fight with hope, or to find solace in defeat. This internal struggle is exemplified through Norman Bowker’s ending in the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Despite the tragedy, his suicide serves as a representation of his moral reconciliation with himself, death, and the present. His resolution and resulting harmony depicts the contradictions
I hid my face as I sat desperately alone in the back of the crowded church and stared through blurry eyes at the stained glass windows. Tears of fear and anguish soaked my red cheeks. Attempting to listen to the hollow words spoken with heartfelt emotion, I glanced at his picture, and my eyes became fixed on his beloved dog. Sudden flashes of sacred memories overcame me. Memories of soccer, his unforgettable smile, and our frequent exchange of playful insults, set my mind spinning. I longed only to hear his delighted voice once more. I sat for what seemed like hours in that lonely yet overcrowded church; my tears still flowed, and I still remembered.
A 17 year old boy, Douglas Stewart, came home from school to find his mother lying on the sofa with a strained back. Being concerned for her he rubbed her back briefly then put on some easy listening music. Douglas then proceeded downstairs to his bedroom. Two of his friends came to the door. His mother waited to see if he would return to answer it; minutes later she answered and then yelled for him to come up. When he did not come, she went downstairs to get him. That is when she found him strangled and her son’s body dangling from the ceiling. This is a senseless tragic sight for a mother to endure. The mortality rate from suicide in 1996 showed 9.5 per 100,000 for 15-19 year olds. This also shows boys are four times more likely to commit suicide then girls. However, girls are twice as likely to attempt suicide. (American 1996) It is imperative to reverse this trend and in doing so we need to understand the characteristics, behaviors and events associated with youth suicide.
Is the way you act based on how your parents raised you? After reading “Texas teen Ethan Couch gets 10 years' probation for driving drunk, killing 4” by Dana Ford and “Should Parents Be Legally Responsible For Children's Serious Crimes?” by Nathan Siegel it is clear to see that people have opposing opinions on this subject. Throughout this essay Rebecca Sedwick's suicide, Ethan Couch’s fatal mistake, and why the parents of the children responsible for death shouldn’t be charged will be explained.
It is very reasonable to conclude that research on depression of those who identify as gay, lesbian or transsexual is not accurate; there is an underreporting of people who identify as these sexual orientations because of the fear of being different. It is understood that those apart of the LGBTQ community actively hide their identity in hopes to avoid being rejected or abused (Bird, 2013). Once the reporting issue of having a smaller percentage of the actual representation of the LGBTQ population is put aside, there is evidence that highly suggests that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders than heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). Even after underreporting, there is still enough information to conclude that sexual discrimination can have harmful effects on the quality of life. Common factors that have been observed in lesbians and gays that can potentially increase depression during Cochran's study are anxiety and mood disorders and decreased self esteem. Cochran and her partner also noted that dissatisfaction with how one is treated beca...
The number of gays and lesbians in the U.S. is estimated to be approximately 8.8 million (randomhistory.com) About thirty-three percent of Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender commit suicide each year. At least fifty-two percent self-harm (dosomethinng.com). Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender are mistreated and misunderstood. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender are treated inhumanely which causes them to go into a deep depression, self-harm, or even commit suicide. LGBT are humans, not just some creature from another world (personal).
Currently in today’s society, coming out as gay is easier than admitting to a serious mental problem. This effect puts a burden on teens who suffer from problems and don’t know where to go; which led to the increase of teen suicides as seen in the media. In the average classroom size, about three of the twenty-four students have depression; not mentioning other common disorders such as bipolar disorder, panic disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and eating disorders. Without better programs in schools to prevent and inform about mental disorders, the current taboo on them, the bullying of students suffering, and the romanticization of diseases will continue to increase the negative effect mental disorders have on teens.
The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to cause a person enough mental stress that they would take their own life. This is always unfortunate, but in the case of young individuals it borders on unthinkable. Older LGBT individuals do not tend to fair much better either seeing as they were raised in generations who were stricter on what was considered proper and morally right. All this being said, even as the culture of the world shifts to more accepting LGBT individuals their mental health is something that is only now being looked at thoroughly.
Suicide is known to be the act of intentionally taking one’s life. It’s an action that is usually done in despair and loss of hope, and is a tragedy at any age. However, it is seen to be more tragic for those who take their lives at such a young age as they have just started their paths in life. Unfortunately, suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth. Nearly 5,000 teenagers commit suicide, and they range between the ages of 10-24, according to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC). A significant reason behind this number is due to the fact that large quantities of youth go through a period of commotion and uncertainty; new social roles are being learned, new relationships are being made, and future roles are
A suicide can be classified into four types: altruistic suicide, anomic suicide, egoistic suicide, and fatalistic suicide. I believe Robin Williams falls into the category of anomic suicide for several reasons. Anomic suicide is when an individual’s life has been affected drastically by an event. The individual’s life might be affected so drastically that they find it difficult to adjust to their new life. This will lead to lost hope and ultimately sadness. Multiple events have happened in Mr. Williams’s life in the past few years that have changed his life and have made it unpleasant. For one, Mr. Williams was in a lot of debt resulting from his previous failed marriages
(GLAAD) According to the Trevor Project, lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are 4 times more likely, and questioning youth are 3 times more likely, to attempt suicide than their straight peers. It is estimated by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center that between 30 and 40% of LGBT youth have attempted suicide. The organizations mentioned, amongst many others, provide a secure place for members of the LGBT community to safely express themselves and find support and assistance. The LGBT community as a whole is a place where its members can come together to celebrate each other.
Now the eighth-leading cause of death overall in the U.S. and the third-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, suicide has become the subject of much recent focus. U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, for instance, recently announced his Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, 1999, an initiative intended to increase public awareness, promote intervention strategies, and enhance research. The media, too, has been paying very close attention to the subject of suicide, writing articles and books and running news stories. Suicide among our nation’s youth, a population very vulnerable to self-destructive emotions, has perhaps received the most discussion of late. Maybe this is because teenage suicide seems the most tragic—lives lost before they’ve even started. Yet, while all of this recent focus is good, it’s only the beginning. We cannot continue to lose so many lives unnecessarily.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause for 5 to 14 year olds. Suicide accounts for twelve percent of the mortality in the adolescent and young adult group. Young males are more common than young woman suicides. These are only children who followed through with the suicide. For every successful suicide there are fifty to one hundred adolescent suicide attempts. In other words, more than five percent of all teenagers tried to commit suicide, and the number is still rising. It is scary to think that four percent of high school students have made a suicide attempt within the previous twelve months. In a small safe town like Avon, in the Avon High School where you and I practically live, you can see the faces of 22 students that have tried to commit suicide. That is enough to fill a classroom.