Depression and Suicide amongst Teenagers
Ashley Byrne
Professor Clement
Adolescent Psych
May 12, 2013
Depression and Suicide Among Adolescence
Depression and suicide among adolescents has and continues to be a serious issue in the United States. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and emerging adults ages fifteen to twenty-four. “According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), about 8 out of every 100,000 teenagers committed suicide in 2000. For every teen suicide death, experts estimate there are 10 other teen suicide attempts. (teendepression.org)”. Adolescence is a very vulnerable time in one’s life; adolescents are faced with many changes and or obstacles during this period. They are often unstable and tend to think things will never get better. “In a survey of high school students, the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center found that almost 1 in 5 teens had thought about suicide, about 1 in 6 teens had made plans for suicide, and more than 1 in 12 teens had attempted suicide in the last year. (teendepression.org)”.
There are many reasons why an adolescent may become depressed and develop thoughts of suicide. “Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress. (aacap.org)”. Adolescents often turn to suicide as a last resort; they believe that there is no other solution for them. “Ninety percent of people who commit or attempt to commit suicide suffer from a mental illness (teendepression.org)”.
The concept of the imaginary audience may also play a role in adolescent depression. The adolescent often has an unrealistic view
Professor Clement
Adolescent Psych
May 12, 2013
Depression and Suicide Among Adolescence
Depression and suicide among adolescents has and continues to be a serious issue in the United States. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and emerging adults ages fifteen to twenty-four. “According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), about 8 out of every 100,000 teenagers committed suicide in 2000. For every teen suicide death, experts estimate there are 10 other teen suicide attempts. (teendepression.org)”. Adolescence is a very vulnerable time in one’s life; adolescents are faced with many changes and or obstacles during this period. They are often unstable and tend to think things will never get better. “In a survey of high school students, the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center found that almost 1 in 5 teens had thought about suicide, about 1 in 6 teens had made plans for suicide, and more than 1 in 12 teens had attempted suicide in the last year. (teendepression.org)”.
There are many reasons why an adolescent may become depressed and develop thoughts of suicide. “Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress. (aacap.org)”. Adolescents often turn to suicide as a last resort; they believe that there is no other solution for them. “Ninety percent of people who commit or attempt to commit suicide suffer from a mental illness (teendepression.org)”.
The concept of the imaginary audience may also play a role in adolescent depression. The adolescent often has an unrealistic view
Bibliography: www.aacap.orgwww.teendepression.orgSuicide Intervention in the Schools by Scott Poland