Suicide Prevention Essay

(1) Suicide is “the action or an act of intentionally killing oneself.” Suicide has been an issue worldwide in society today. “Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year” (SAVE 1). Some suicide attempts are caused by “depression, mental health, the death of a loved one, a serious loss such as a loss of a job, house, or money, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and bullying” ( Caruso 1). Suicide is an escape from pain that people have been suffering. It has been easier for people to end their excruciating life than having to live in misery for years. “A growing body of studies has demonstrated that alcohol and drug abuse are second only to depression and other mood disorders as the most frequent risk factors for suicide” (Wohlenhaus 127). Some signs and symptoms of depression include “difficulty concentrating, remembering details, making decisions, thoughts of suicide, overeating, and aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment” (NIMH, depression 3). Alcohol was the greatest common substance found in suicide victims when tested. “Studies showed that a type of psychotherapy called cognitive therapy reduced the rate of repeated suicide attempts by 50 percent during a year of follow-up” (Wohlenhaus 8). Therapy is an alternative that can help prevent suicide. Presently, news media has been reporting suicides, which is either preventing or causing suicides but this can be easily be solved by reporting safely.

(2) Suicide should be announced in the media because it is making people become more well-informed of what’s going on in today’s society. Bain, a suicide prevention worker had spoken, "I think that for the average person that struggles with suicidal ideation, hearin...

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...hould be used instead of posting photos or videos of the location or method of death, grieving family, friends, memorials or funerals” (NIMH suicide 1). If photos or videos of the victim’s death were displayed on the media, it would increase the possibility of numerous deaths. Suicide prevention hotlines should be included as well. By informing suicide cautiously, this can enlighten others and reduce the amount of deaths.
(5) Thus, suicides being reported in the media are either leading to or abstaining suicides. This situation can be solved by making people more aware of what is going on and reporting safely. Suicide being publicized leads to copycat suicide but on the other hand it informs the public so they become more mindful and attentive. Broadcasting suicide on the media may indeed avert suicide but it is more likely to promote suicide and cause casualties.