Rewriting Possibility: 76%
While Yam retainer does not dismiss or diminish metal illness or psychosis, she does feel as though “connectedness” being prevalent would certainly be beneficial and could possibly prevent the senseless loss of lives. Suicide, better defined as “the action of killing one’s self intentionally” is the third leading cause of death for teenagers today (Yam). Suicide is an applied example of developmental psychology in that research and studies have linked teenage suicide to developmental issues or problems that occur over a person’s lifespan.
Some of those developmental issues (discussed in more detail below) have been identified as anything from bullying, to abuse, to family problems, to mental health disorders (I. E. Depression). Studies tend to focus on adolescents and their lifestyles, home/family environment, social environment, mental health, medical history, etc. , as a way of trying to determine who may be more “at-risk” of suicide and preventing them from suffering this tragedy that is plaguing our youth. Bullying is swiftly becoming a major factor in the continuity of suicide among teenagers.
It is during these tender years of adolescence that a young errors is developing a sense of self and figuring out who they are. When bullies launch their attacks, they are not merely on a physical level. They also attack the self-esteem of their victims, thereby diminishing the victim’s self- worth, which can lead to thoughts or actions of suicide. TEENAGE SUICIDE AND POSSIBLE PREVENTION Page 3 Abuse of any kind (physical, mental or sexual) can also be a major factor in a teenager’s likelihood to commit suicide. Here again the victim’s self-worth has been attacked, leaving them with feelings of hopelessness and shame.
With no sense of self-worth, coupled with the feelings that come along with the abuse, the victim will tend to see suicide as a way to escape the pain or torment they are dealing with from the abuse. Problems in the home, such as divorce, can be detrimental on the development of any child. Often times, parents become so wrapped up in litigation that the children’s needs go unnoticed. The children are forced to cope with the changes that are associated with a divorce (one parent being gone, shuffling from one household to another, etc. , and often times they are moored or placed in an adult role by one or both of the parents. As a result, the child may begin to feel as though they don’t belong in either household or that they are disconnected from their parents (Belles). They may also blame themselves for the divorce. Numerous “transpiring” programs are in place to help families cope with divorce, but unfortunately, sometimes that just is not enough. Lastly, mental health disorders such as depression can lead to suicide.
Most people, when asked what they think the leading cause Of suicide in any age- roof would be, respond with “depression”. And rightly so because depression is defined as “a psychoneurosis or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness”. If left untreated, the feelings associated with depression can certainly lead to suicide, especially in teenagers, who are still learning to cope with all of the other changes that come along with adolescence.