Teen Suicide Can be Stopped - Essay Example

Teen Suicide Can be Stopped The act of teens intentionally taking away their lives is rampant all over the world. This can be stopped however much it may appear to be impossible. Understanding the psychology of teens and encouraging them to be open can ensure that teen suicide is done away with. It has been a problem that most people view not to have a complete solution, but this can be fixed using appropriate measures and tact. There are various methods of eliminating teen suicide, which includes making them have an understanding that they always have a solution to their problems other than committing suicide. Teen suicide deprives families of their happiness and subjects parents and the whole community to a sad situation which can be avoided. In 2001 teen suicide stood at 30622. According to Peacock (2000), “Teen suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults and adolescents 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide. The rate was 9.9/100,000.” Challenges that make it appear impossible to stop teen suicide The rate at which teen suicide has been occurring in the recent past makes people believe that it may not have a lasting solution. I concur with this view but on a deeper scrutiny it can be realised that there are possible solutions to the problem. Before, there were efforts made towards reducing these cases. The net effect still doesn’t completely eliminate the problem but reduces it to a remarkable level. Mastering the Psychology of teens who fall victims could be the main barrier to eradicating the problem of teen suicide (Shaffer 1988). The way in which those planning to commit suicide behave is not easy to note without proper skills. However, giving this issue a priority in the school curriculum and back at home can lead to its eradication. The other challenge that may hinder the eradication of this problem is the lack of openness of most teens to their parents. It is a fact that the teens in the 21st century are not very open with their parents and teachers. Lichtenstein (2011) argues that, this is mainly due to the advancement in technology that encourages virtual world imagination and interaction. By this, the teens concentrate more on devices such as computers rather than sharing their daily experiences with their parents. Diverting focus on the virtual world and their interactive surfaces can be made in such a way that this information concerning the need to eradicate teen suicide is delivered to them. How to stop teen suicide Giving the problem of teen suicide priority in the school curriculum and teen interaction sites can be a way of eradicating the problem. This can be done in a more professional way by establishing committees of experts on teen psychology to look into ways of including it to the school curriculum. Making of Other surfaces that are mostly visited by teens in such a way that the message of teen suicide eradication is driven home can work out if maintained. This can be made global by the use of social sites such as facebook and tweeter or played online. Global campaigns on eradication of teen suicide can be done by declaring days for the campaign in the whole world. Making it a worldwide issue recognised by all generations and active participation of the teens can help in eradicating the problem. Ensuring involvement of everyone and making it public that the problem requires collective responsibility in order to solve is a factor that must be given consideration in eliminating teen suicide. The other way is being able to openly speak about issues with teens. Schleifer (1999) found that, most teens who commit suicide do so because they lack someone to open up to. Giving them a listening proves to be a solution since if they let others know about their problems, advice can easily be sought hence preventing suicide cases from occurring. This point onto proper parentage, which includes guidance and counselling apart from openness in the family and at school. Applying these methods collectively in eradication of teen suicide can become efficient only when given proper attention. There are various cases, which have been eradicated using this method such as diseases. Campaigns may take long to meet targets but, in the long run, meeting the aim becomes a reality. There are various people who have lost their loved ones through teen suicide. Sharing this pain should act as a driver towards eradicating teen suicide. Should we sit back and wait until every family is affected in order to look into the issue? Ensuring that no teen loose his or her life in this manner can help solve many depressive situations that people face due to these deaths (Golub 1984). Dear citizens, let us look into the problem from an empathetic point of view, it really feels disappointing for a teen with a potential, bright future to lose life just because no one can lend an ear to them. Let us join hands together in fighting teen suicide. It is possible! More questions can be raised about the extent to which this can be made practical but, it all begins with you and me. Efforts put together can see us through a realisation of the goals. How many cases out there begin with one or two people? What makes this impossibility? Let’s work it out together beginning from our localities progressively throughout the world. References Shaffer, D. et al. (1988). Preventing Teenage Suicide: A Critical Review. p. 98-115. Lichtenstein Creative Media. (2011). Teen Suicide. Cambridge: Lichtenstein Creative Media. Schleifer, J. (1999). Everything You Need to Know About Teen Suicide. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Peacock, J. (2000). Teen suicide. Minnesota, MN: capstone. Golub Sharon. (1984). Health Care of the Female Adolescent: Women and health. New York, NY: Routledge. Self evaluation My topic is teen suicide eradication. The above draft is up to standard with a critical thinking paper on evaluation. The topic chosen is a real problem that not anyone has thought of its complete solution. Teen suicide has been common despite efforts to reduce it. People have never taken a wider though of completely eradication it. My argument in this paper makes the reader realise the need to look into the problem as having a possible solution rather than viewing it from the surface of it. The other possible position in this topic is that cases of teen suicide can be reduced. Survey results have been included to support my topic. Giving an empathetic view on my position in this topic eliminates the doubts of the possibilities in the topic. My intended audience in this case are parents, teachers and the larger community who can take part in active support for teen eradication. My purpose is to trigger the minds of my audience to view teen suicide as one problem that has a complete solution if collectively handled. The audience should be empathetic enough to feel the pain undergone by the affected people. Phrases such as “it really feels disappointing for a teen with a potential, bright future to lose life just because no one can lend an ear to them”, “There are various people who have lost their loved ones through teen suicide” and “in the long run, meeting the aim becomes a reality”have been used in this paper to make my audience look into the issue from my point of view. The audience may doubt my position because efforts have been made before but have failed. These efforts were doomed to failure because they were not intensive and aimed at reduction rather than elimination as in my case. Read More