During the last 10 years, new means of suicide prevention efforts have generated valuable information on risk and protective factors, empirically based methods for preventing suicidal behavior, and enhanced research methods. During this period, the following developments have been observed in the area of suicide prevention; “A proliferation of curriculum-based suicide prevention programs in schools accompanied by increased attention and concerns voiced over format, goals, theoretic orientation, and safety issues” (Hazell and King, 1996). This has led to much-improved prevention design programs. Against the backdrop of rising suicide rates nationally and also in the state of Texas, this is welcome news. According to the World Health Organization,
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Thus, the true figure of youth suicide inclusive of the incarceration deaths may be approaching a number as high as 20%. Therefore, clearly, a causal link exists between youth incarceration and the risk of suicide. One additional reason for this beyond the mere figures, is that there is a good possibility that a person incarcerated for the first time is going to be the victim of violence, including sexual abuse, rape, and other traumatic events, often for non-violent offenses such as drug possession. Unlike joining the armed forces, no preparation is given for entering this type of environment, so a person, not pre-conditioned towards violence will be at a disadvantage. Even after their release, the psychological damage experienced during incarceration can last a lifetime such that many internalize such intense despondency, they feel they have no other alternative, but to end their …show more content…
When treating mental illness, early diagnosis and treatment can often be the key to preventing a suicide. A link can be drawn between youth suicide and access to mental health facilities. In Texas, for the year 2012, it was estimated that almost 500,000 people were living with an untreated mental illness, between 60 to 70% of young offenders that have had contact with the criminal justice system met the standards for mental illness. It is estimated that up to 90% of the persons between the ages of 16 to 24 deaths reported to be by resulting from suicide had one or more mental illnesses (AAOS 2012). As a result of the cuts in funding to Medicaid and other health services, Texas at present, is obviously not able to meet the mental health needs of its citizens and no appreciable reduction in youth suicide can be anticipated until this need is
Thus, the true figure of youth suicide inclusive of the incarceration deaths may be approaching a number as high as 20%. Therefore, clearly, a causal link exists between youth incarceration and the risk of suicide. One additional reason for this beyond the mere figures, is that there is a good possibility that a person incarcerated for the first time is going to be the victim of violence, including sexual abuse, rape, and other traumatic events, often for non-violent offenses such as drug possession. Unlike joining the armed forces, no preparation is given for entering this type of environment, so a person, not pre-conditioned towards violence will be at a disadvantage. Even after their release, the psychological damage experienced during incarceration can last a lifetime such that many internalize such intense despondency, they feel they have no other alternative, but to end their …show more content…
When treating mental illness, early diagnosis and treatment can often be the key to preventing a suicide. A link can be drawn between youth suicide and access to mental health facilities. In Texas, for the year 2012, it was estimated that almost 500,000 people were living with an untreated mental illness, between 60 to 70% of young offenders that have had contact with the criminal justice system met the standards for mental illness. It is estimated that up to 90% of the persons between the ages of 16 to 24 deaths reported to be by resulting from suicide had one or more mental illnesses (AAOS 2012). As a result of the cuts in funding to Medicaid and other health services, Texas at present, is obviously not able to meet the mental health needs of its citizens and no appreciable reduction in youth suicide can be anticipated until this need is