Teenage suicide is a health concern that continues to be a major issue today. Teenage suicide is the act of an adolescent or young adult purposely taking their life This act can be by way of hanging, drugs, or by the use of a lethal weapon, The end result is still the loss of one’s life. According to the American Psychological Association, research performed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) found it to be the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 years of age (2016). Although there has been such an alarming increase in the rate of suicides of our youth, the causes still typically remain the same. Psychological and mental disorders, especially depression, is still considered to be one of the most common causes of teenage suicide.
Kim and his fellow researchers found that over 90% of the people who were successful at committing suicide had depression (2011). Adolescence can be a challenging time. During adolescence, depression is prevalent due to the hormonal changes that occur (Bhardwaj 8: Srivastava, 2016, p.283). The majority of adolescents that even contemplate ending their life are either experiencing emotional instability or have experienced it before. Adolescence can be a challenging time. From the hormonal surges to the peer pressure that many are faced with, these can have a negative effect on a teenagers future. Most teenagers are obsessed with technology and social media takes up a lot of their time. The popularity of social media in the 21st century has risen tremendously causing a huge increase in cyberbullying. According to scientific studies, cases of teenage suicides are increasingly being linked to depression caused by cyberbullying.
There are many risks factors that can contribute to suicide. Most individuals who commit suicide or have thoughts about it do not reach out for help or inform others about their plans. This is why it is imperative to be able to notice the signs or risk factors of a potential suicide victim. As mentioned earlier, we know that psychological and mental disorders can play a huge factor in a person committing suicide. However, a person who has exemplified suicidal behaviors in the past is something to be aware of. Typically those who die from suicide have made at least one previous attempt. Knowing a person’s past and current suicidal tendencies can potentially save a life of a loved one Being able to identify such factors will not only help you, but also those around you estimate those who are at risk of suicide.