Teen Suicide: A Developing Problem

Ashlynne Rosenhan
Mrs. Trelease
English 1010
April 19, 2017
STATEMENT OF TOPIC

The focus of my Research paper is on Teenage suicide rates in the United States and the

causes that lead to youth/teenage suicide. I will focus on mental illnesses

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to inform the public how big of a problem suicide is in our society

today and how to prevent it. To make aware that this is a big problem and there are things that

can be done to help youth get through their low points and show them the meaning of living.

SCOPE

My paper will involve statistics in Utah and the United States that show how serious youth

suicide is. The main causes i will be focusing on is mental illnesses and the different risk factors

that could lead to this. I will talk about the different methods that teens have used to commit

suicide. Another thing I will talk about is the different ways to prevent teen suicide.

RESEARCH SECTION

STATISTICS/BACKGROUND

Each year thousands of kids are dying, not illnesses or car accidents but by their

own hands. Kids and teens are taking their own lives. Suicide is the third leading cause

of death for adolescents 15-19 years old. In the united states Suicide is the 10th

leading cause of death, each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide each year.

(Suicide) The number of deaths for adolescents has increased dramatically during the
past few decades. In 1997, there were 4,186 suicides among people 15 to 24 years

old, 1,802 suicides among those 15 to 19 years old, and 2,384 among those 20 to 24

years old. In 1997, 13% of all deaths in the 15- through 24-year-old age group were

attributable to suicide. (Suicide and Suicide Attempts)

MENTAL ILLNESS

There have been studies that show a link between adolescents with clinical

depression and suicide with up to 60% of adolescents victims that have depression at

the time of death. Depression is the main predictor of suicidal ideation. In clinically

referred samples, up to 85% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or

dysthymia (i.e., chronic, but less severe depression) will have suicidal ideation, 32% will

make a suicide attempt sometime during adolescence or young adulthood, 20% will

make more than one attempt, and by young adulthood, 2.5% to 7% will commit suicide.

The association of prior suicidal behavior and depression has been shown to increase

the risk for a repeated suicide attempt and suicide. (Epidemiology) Depression is the

main disorder that leads a teenager to commit suicide. Depression is what makes

people feel worthless and chronic sadness. Behavioral problems that may be

manifestations of masked depression include truancy, deterioration in academic

performance, running away from home, defiance of authorities, self-destructive

behavior, vandalism, alcohol and other drug abuse, sexual acting out, and delinquency.

Episodic despondency leading to self-destructive acts can occur in any adolescent,

including high achievers. These adolescents may believe that they have failed or

disappointed their parents and family and perceive suicide as their only option. Other
adolescents may believe that suicide is a better option than life as they experience it.

(Suicide Attempts)

YOUTH SUICIDE STATISTICS IN UTAH

On average 4,543 Utahns attempt suicide and 557 die from suicide each year. In

2013, suicide surpassed unintentional injuries to become the leading cause of death

among youth ages 10-17 in Utah. (Utah DOH) Since 2011 the suicide rate for youth

ages 10-17 has increased. Utah suicide rate has always been higher than the national

rate. For the years 2012-2014 Utah had the 8th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S.

Compared to the U.S. youth suicide rate, Utah's has been consistently higher, that lead

to the development of the Utah Youth Suicide Study. The office of the Medical Examiner

provided death certificates and additional information from multiple different government

agencies from 151 Utah youth suicides, these results showed:

89% of the suicide decedents were male.

63% of suicide decedents having had contact with the juvenile courts.
54% of the decedents who had contact with juvenile court had a referral(s)

for substance possession, use, or abuse and 32% had one felony referral.
23% had a special education evaluation,

primarily for behavioral disorders.

35% had either a suspension or expulsion

from school.
Only 1% of the suicide decedents were in

public mental health treatment at the time of

death. (Suicide among teens)

This research has shown that one in five youth under the

age of 18 who have been arrested have mental health

problems. Mental health services in juvenile offender facilities for youth are inadequate.

There are fewer resources available for juvenile offenders involved with probation

officers outside juvenile facilities in Utah. Early mental health interventions through the

juvenile court system can be a cost-effective way for reaching teens at risk for suicide.

Treatment should include both psychiatric care and in-home behavioral intervention.

WARNING SIGNS/ RISK FACTORS

Some cause of youth suicide may be youth with mental health problems such as

depression, anxiety, insomnia, and bipolar disorder are at higher risk for suicidal

thoughts. These teens are also going through different changes in their lives, also kids

being bullied are at a big risk.

Factors that increase the risk of suicide in youth include:

a psychological disorder, especially depression, bipolar

disorder, and alcohol and drug use (in fact, about 95% of people who die

by suicide have a psychological disorder at the time of death)

feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation
feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that often

accompany depression
a previous suicide attempt
a family history of depression or suicide
emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
lack of a support network, poor relationships with parents or

peers, and feelings of social isolation

dealing with bisexuality or homosexuality in an unsupportive

family or community or hostile school environment (About Teen Suicide)

These 2 pie graphs show the different methods that males and females used to commit

suicide. The graphs represent males and females in Washington ages 10-24 in between
 2003-2007. The most common

way used is gun and

suffocation for males and

females. It also shows that

males have a lot more different

methods for ending their lives

than females. The least

common method for males is

drowning, transportation and other while females it is Falling/Jumping and

Transportation.

PREVENTION

Teenage suicide is preventable, it is a very serious problem but there are sources that

can help and signs to watch out for in teenagers that may be suicidal. It is a big thing for

parents to have a good relationship with their children and know what is going on in

their lives but also not be over controlling. Suicidal youth should have someone they

trust and they can talk to when they are feeling down. Experts Michelle Moskos,

Jennifer Achilles and Doug Gray said that the causes of suicidal distress include

psychological, environmental and social factors. It is found that mental illnesses are the

major leading cause of suicide. The suicide risk factors differ with gender, age, family

dynamics, ethnic group and stressful life events. The National institution of Mental

Health sent out a fact sheet and the research shows that risk factors for suicide include

depression and other mental disorders, and substance-abuse disorders (often in

combination with other mental disorders. More than 90 percent of people who die by
suicide have these risk factors. The chance for suicide happens a lot with external

circumstances that may too much for teens that are at high risk that are not able to

survive the trials and challenges of adolescence because of likely weaknesses such as

mental disorder. Examples of stressors are disciplinary problems, interpersonal losses,

family violence, sexual orientation confusion, physical and sexual abuse and being the

victim of bullying. (APA)

ETHICS SUMMARY

In society people dont realize how big of an issue suicide is and how it really can be

prevented. There are youth that struggle with different mental illnesses like depression

and they dont have anyone to support them. I believe having help is a big way to

prevent suicide, if they have someone there for them to talk to it would make all the

difference. I have had people in my life and people my family has known that have

committed suicide, at the time it seems like such a selfish thing to do but some people

dont realize how they we really hurting and nobody was probably there for them when

they should have. If they had people that supported them and knew what was going on

then it could have been prevented. There is this TV series on Netflix that came out in

March called 13 reasons why where a girl commits suicide and leaves behind 13 tapes

where she tells why she did it. It is a very powerful series and really opens your eyes up

about suicide but others look at it as glorifying suicide. People in society are trying to

promote awareness and show how it is a problem and i believe thats what they were

trying to do with that TV show.

PROPOSAL OF ACTION

My proposal of action is to have a community gathering at my local park and a couple

other parks in the Salt Lake county. Fliers will be passed out through different

neighborhoods along with posters at local grocery stores. There will be time to socialize

and there will even be refreshments. I will have a couple speakers that will address and

educate parents and youth about the causes, prevention and awareness of youth

suicide in Utah. The message that the participants will get is to learn about the risk

factors, causes and preventions of youth suicide. My goal for these gatherings is to

bring our communities together and to educate them. By the end of these gatherings,

the communities will be stronger, more aware, and ultimately closer with one another. If

our communities have a stronger bond, are aware of these issues, and trust each other,

I truly believe that this will help solve these issues.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion teen suicide is a big problem in todays society. The statistics I had

researched show how big of a problem suicide is. We as a people need to make

everyone a lot more aware of this problem. If we will all just be a little nicer, kinder, and

understanding, then I truly believe that this world will be a better place. You never know

what someone is going through or what has happened in their life. Let us all speak a

little kinder, let us all be patient with each other. We need to be there for everyone and

support our fellow citizens ones.

WORK CITED

"About Teen Suicide." KidsHealth. Ed. D'Arcy Lyness. The Nemours Foundation, Aug.

2015. Web

Epidemiology of Youth Suicide and Suicidal Behavior US National Library of Medicine

National Institute of Health Scottye J Cash. Ph.D Jeffrey A. Bridge. Ph.D

 "Suicide Among Teens and Young Adults." Youth Suicide | Utah Violence & Injury

Prevention Program. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Suicide Among Youth." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 01 Aug. 2013. Web.

"Suicide Statistics AFSP." AFSP. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Data & Statistics Fatal Injury, 2015. Web.

"Suicide." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

n.d. Web.

"Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents." Pediatrics. American Academy of

Pediatrics, 01 Apr. 2000. Web.

"Teen Suicide Is Preventable." American Psychological Association. American

Psychological Association, n.d. Web.

"Teen Suicide." Aacap, Teen Suicide. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Suicide Prevention." Suicide Prevention | Youth.gov. N.p., n.d. Web.