Introduction
The deliberate taking of one’s own life has emerged as one of the leading causes of death globally, making it a critical issue. The prevalence of this problem is shown by the fact that approximately half of the population knows someone who has died by suicide, survived a suicide attempt, or battled suicidal thoughts. Although various reasons drive individuals to commit suicide, one crucial factor to consider is depression (Twenge, 2020). Among other factors are social isolation, economic hardship, the availability of lethal means, and mental health stigma. This essay focuses on the psychological elements that lead to suicide as well as suicide’s effect on youth. In addition, recommendations and potential alternatives to mitigate this escalating problem will be discussed.
Background
Suicide is an act in which a person chooses to end their life. These individuals frequently believe it to be their only option. Suicide rates have risen drastically worldwide, with teens, in particular, seeing a significant increase in suicide rates over the preceding ten years (Manzar et al., 2021; Zohuri & Zadeh, 2020). Furthermore, 12% of those who attempted suicide pondered suicide, accounting for more than 30% of people worldwide (Twenge, 2020). While suicide cannot be equated directly with murder, its growing prevalence and consequences over the years make it increasingly resemble the act of taking a life intentionally.
There are common indicators of suicidal tendencies displayed by both boys and girls in various situations. Children and adolescents contemplating suicide exhibit a preoccupation with death, dying, and self-harm. They may also be fascinated with violence and weaponry and communicate, write about, or allude to suicidal thoughts (Twenge, 2020). Teenagers contemplating suicide may part with their possessions, especially those they value the most. They could become bored, less interested, less motivated, angrier, and resentful over time.
Suicidal thoughts in young people might cause them to alter their social and academic behaviors. For instance, they could spend less time on personal hygiene. A teenager who used to like being hygienic but has recently lost interest in these activities can be a sign of depression, which may lead to suicide. Therefore, such drastic changes in one’s personality should be considered alarming by parents, caretakers, and educators.
Factors Associated with An Increased Risk of Suicide on Teenagers
Numerous factors are associated with an increased risk of suicide, including prior suicide attempts, dependence on drugs or alcohol, and past or present physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. A person’s chance of attempting suicide may also be exacerbated by cultural variables such as shifting gender roles and requirements, assimilation and adherence, victimization and isolation sentiments, and logical reactions to shame.
Some cultural beliefs, like family curses, can trigger suicidal thoughts (Reyes-Portillo et al., 2019). Such beliefs make youths feel useless, making suicide the only option. The individual’s household and neighborhood also influence their risk of suicide. When a teenager is victimized or isolated by their peers or family members, they may attempt to commit suicide to get away from such a situation.
Although several elements affect youth suicide, social factors remain the most common and essential. Teenage suicides often result from child physical and emotional abuse (Wasserman et al., 2021). Seeking a solution to the issue requires understanding adolescent suicidal behaviors, such as depressed inclinations, anxiety, social withdrawal, and obsession with death.
Sexual abuse of children is a form of child abuse as well. In most instances, it involves a close family member who subjects the child to forced intercourse, causing trauma and psychological damage. The sense of powerlessness and guilt that frequently accompany such experiences can further isolate victims, making quick and compassionate intervention and support critical to preventing the terrible conclusion of suicide.
Children delight in the company of friends and being in their company, as it provides security and affection. These interactions give children a sense of self-assurance, which is instrumental in fostering a healthy childhood and preparing them for responsible adulthood (Schuck et al., 2019). When they lack such companionship, some teenagers may start hating themselves and thinking of suicide. Divorce between parents can also cause a social concern that may trigger suicidal thoughts among teenagers. Children often grapple with adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, and when they perceive instability or danger, they may start to question their existence, leading to suicidal thoughts.
Effects of Suicides on Teenagers
It is critical to recognize that suicide can be contagious among teenagers and is typically linked to social and psychological causes. When a teenager commits suicide, it can set off a chain reaction in which friends consider similar actions as they deal with the pain and disorientation of the first death. This leads to the clustering of suicide, or the incidence of several suicides among adolescents within a specific time frame and geographical region (Hawton et al., 2020).
The widespread use of social media and the internet has aided in quickly disseminating information, particularly graphic content, and debates regarding self-harm and suicide. This exposure can potentially romanticize or normalize suicide in susceptible youth, raising the chance of clustering (Hawton et al., 2020). Risk factors can also influence clustering among youths in a specific town or school. Risk factors include a history of mental health concerns, substance misuse, family problems, bullying, or a lack of access to mental health help (Hawton et al., 2020). When numerous people with comparable risk factors come into close contact, the possibility of clustering increases.
Suicides among teenagers have a profound and far-reaching impact on various aspects of their lives and those of their peers. The loss of a young life through suicide often leaves family and friends in deep emotional turmoil. It has been demonstrated that the peers of departed children and teens exhibit a broad spectrum of complex physical and mental symptoms (Hawton et al., 2020).
Depressive sentiments accompany strong emotions of grief, despair, powerlessness, loneliness, abandonment, and suicidal ideation. Due to this occurrence, some teenagers may drop out of school, impacting them academically. Even though the departed teenager’s peers might feel emotionally upset and unsure of what to do, school administrators, instructors, and staff are expected to guide and support children and their families.
Adolescents risk experiencing grief and negatively affecting their mental health when a close family member commits suicide or dies in another terrible way. Grieving teenagers frequently experience tears, longing, sadness, and guilt (Aaltonen et al., 2019). Teenagers who lose a loved one to suicide may suffer more tremendous shock, anxiety, resentment, and self-blame than those who lose a loved one to a fatal illness. They could have difficulty answering “why” queries and receive less social support.
In the months immediately following a death, adolescents who have experienced a suicide or other tragic death are more likely to have sadness, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts than peers who have not experienced a loss. Many students experience psychological effects once an adolescent dies, making it difficult to pay attention to what their professors are trying to teach them. The school must take steps before the occurrence because this might harm it and result in the loss of pupils.
Preventive interventions for youth suicide clusters need a multifaceted approach. Schools and communities must raise mental health awareness and make counseling services available. This involves teaching children and adults about warning indicators and reducing the stigma associated with mental health concerns (Aggarwal et al., 2021). Furthermore, restricting internet access to potentially harmful material and supporting responsible media reporting of suicides can lessen the media’s influence on clustering (Hawton et al., 2020). Peer support and intervention programs can also help identify and help at-risk adolescents.
Recommendations for Mitigating Teenage Suicide
Several recommendations might assist parents and educators in lowering the suicide rate. One way is to incorporate mental health education into school curricula, which helps to de-stigmatize the issue (Aggarwal et al., 2021). Similarly, counseling and support services in schools and communities can substantially help achieve this aim.
To have an open communication channel with their children, parents need to ensure they talk to them and check in with them frequently. Teenagers should be taught by their parents that they may speak with them about anything and that no subject is taboo (Wasserman et al., 2021). Other people in a child’s life, such as their teachers, educational counselors, or social workers, may routinely check in with their parents. Limiting screen time increases social engagement and family time, particularly time spent alone with parents.
It is necessary to always treat a child’s expression of suicidal thoughts as an emergency. Suicidal thoughts can be reduced by monitoring and responding to online bullying, harassment, and harmful content. The creation of widely available crisis helplines is critical for troubled teenagers. Research investments are required to understand the fundamental causes of adolescent suicide better and to track the progress of preventative measures.
A teacher can check in with a pupil to see if the child is retreating or showing significant changes in behavior or performance. They can speak with a social worker or school counselor if check-in is insufficient (Santamarina-Perez et al., 2020). The instructor can also discuss his worries with the student’s parents or legal guardian to ensure they are aware of possible issues. Finally, they can designate a safe area in his classroom where the student can reconsider his choice to commit suicide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, suicide is still a major global cause of mortality, and this study attempted to provide insight into its complex nature. It has explicitly focused on the impact of depression, variables linked with an increased risk of suicide among teens, the repercussions of suicides on other teenagers, and solutions to address this rising problem. It is critical to recognize that the present global scene, which includes ongoing difficulties such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing impact of climate change, has only increased the need to tackle mental health and suicide prevention.
Future studies should continue to investigate the developing dynamics of teenage mental health to discover novel solutions to the rising problem. Finding efficient strategies to intervene with people who are highly susceptible to suicide, who are released from inpatient treatment, or who show up at the emergency room with suicidal tendencies is a research need.
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