The Problem of Suicide in Teens Ages 12-18 In the United States Suicide is considered a major public health problem. While this is an occurring problem globally, this paper focuses on the problems effects, causes, and data recorded about suicide in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides current information and data that is necessary to conduct research and spread the knowledge about risk factors of suicide. Mental health diseases are crucial to understanding suicidal ideation. Many studies have been conducted over the years to understand the relationship between mental health diseases and suicide. One of the major issues with the mental health diseases that lead to suicide is that they are treatable,
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However, a plan could be established that would help decrease the number of suicide attempts and completions. The first step of action to take would be to increase one’s knowledge about suicide. Even though a person can not simply predict when a suicide will occur, being able to indicate warning signs certainly does help. These signs could be emotional, verbal, or even physical. Warning signs include but are not limited to; talking about not wanting to live, isolating themselves, increase use of alcohol or drugs, weird sleeping pattern, anxiety, being diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses and mood swings. Noticing these warning signs early on can help the prevention of the problem getting worse. The next step would be to make sure you communicate. If the teen is noticeably behaving differently, it is very strongly encouraged to ask they directly if he or she has contemplated suicide and to listen. The following step would be to make sure to never give a teenager who has had suicidal thoughts or made attempts a window of opportunity. This means not leaving them alone for long periods of time and keeping watch over them while they are at home. Another step to be taken would be to make sure any weapons the teen has full access to are stowed away. This includes, guns, knives, pills, ropes, or any other weapon that can cause harm or fatality. The last step, if necessary, would be to seek professional help. Many times a teenager’s wish is to escape the pain, not to die. Seeking help can allow them to understand that dying for a temporary problem should not be an option. It’s often that a youth that is contemplating suicide does not want to reach out for help or does not see the suicidal thoughts as a problem that they want to be solved. Through these steps it can help prevent possible suicide attempts/completions. The most important in this paragraph is to recognize the warning signs
However, a plan could be established that would help decrease the number of suicide attempts and completions. The first step of action to take would be to increase one’s knowledge about suicide. Even though a person can not simply predict when a suicide will occur, being able to indicate warning signs certainly does help. These signs could be emotional, verbal, or even physical. Warning signs include but are not limited to; talking about not wanting to live, isolating themselves, increase use of alcohol or drugs, weird sleeping pattern, anxiety, being diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses and mood swings. Noticing these warning signs early on can help the prevention of the problem getting worse. The next step would be to make sure you communicate. If the teen is noticeably behaving differently, it is very strongly encouraged to ask they directly if he or she has contemplated suicide and to listen. The following step would be to make sure to never give a teenager who has had suicidal thoughts or made attempts a window of opportunity. This means not leaving them alone for long periods of time and keeping watch over them while they are at home. Another step to be taken would be to make sure any weapons the teen has full access to are stowed away. This includes, guns, knives, pills, ropes, or any other weapon that can cause harm or fatality. The last step, if necessary, would be to seek professional help. Many times a teenager’s wish is to escape the pain, not to die. Seeking help can allow them to understand that dying for a temporary problem should not be an option. It’s often that a youth that is contemplating suicide does not want to reach out for help or does not see the suicidal thoughts as a problem that they want to be solved. Through these steps it can help prevent possible suicide attempts/completions. The most important in this paragraph is to recognize the warning signs