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Essay about The Growing Problem of Teen Suicide

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A mother finds her 17 year old teenage son hanging from the rafters of their basement. To hear of this occurrence is not rare in society today. Every 90 minutes a teenager in this country commits suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. The National suicide rate has increased 78% between 1952 and 1992. The rate for 15-19 year olds rose from two per 100,000 to 12.9, more than 600 percent. (Special report, Killing the Pain, Rae Coulli)
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 …show more content…

Not a proud statistic. The overall national suicide rate increased 78% between 1952-1992. “Menno Boldt, a sociologist at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta suggests that the right to die movement on behalf of the terminally ill patients may be sending the wrong message to teens.” Are teenagers in their immature minds ready to hear this controversy and understand?
Are there warning signs or suicidal symptoms? Guidance councillors warn of verbal hints that teenagers say that should be taken seriously. Statements like “I won’t be a problem for you much longer, nothing matters, it’s no use, I wish I were dead, I can’t take it anymore, nobody cares about me, I wish I were never born.” These are potential suicide risk statements indicating impending destructive behavior.
A suicide survey was taken in 1997 by an Oregon High School. In this a statement was made “that no less than 35% of Oregon attempters made prior attempts.” Just like Douglas Stewart. A previous suicide attempt is the best predictor of future suicidal behavior. Without intervention , a failed suicide attempt may be followed by one that results in death.
Douglas Stewart had previously attempted with a dog choke chain and after recovery his visits to the psychiatrist increased. He had previously been diagnosed

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