Suicide Is Not Choosen Essay, Research Paper

The intentional killing of oneself or an act that is destructive to oneself (Oxford, 919). That statement hits home with many people in this world. It is this whispered word that one parent may tell another parent how their child attempted suicide. Suicide seems to be a hushed subject that isn’t spoken about as much as Aids or STD’s; which I find absoulty amazing. The amazing factor is that Suicide is listed by the National Center for Health Statistics as the number 8 cause of death in the United States, it even ranks above AIDS that is number 14. With it having such a ranking you would think the world would been more aware of the outstanding numbers.

Suicide claims over 31,000 lives annually even more then homicide. As you say to yourself, “Wow 31,000 lives” think of this “Suicide attempts, estimated to exceed 750,000 annually, adversely impact the lives of millions of family members” (Congress). This is an obvious cry for help and time we reconstruct our society to help us lower this ever-growing number. Time magazine showed a figure that almost made me fall off my chair; it said that there has been a 300% increase in teen suicide since the 1960’s. Why has suicide increased to this outrageous figure and what causes it is the question?

What makes someone suicidal is a more complex question and not as easy to answer as everyone seems to think. I have always heard the people say, “Oh they come from a broken home or don’t have a good family life.” As much as everyone wants to believe this, it is not the only reason, many people young and old contemplate suicide. Through my readings and personal experience, I believe the number one reason for even thinking about suicide is because there is no other way out. Out of what is determined by each individual. Depression is a major cause in teenagers and older adults. “The depression syndrome refers to a cluster of behaviors and emotions that include both anxiety and depression; including feeling lonely, crying, fear of doing bad things, feeling the need to be perfect, feeling unloved, feeling worthless, nervous or guilty, or sad and worrying” (Santrock, 474). Depression syndrome wraps a lot of problems into one concrete definition and can incorporate a lot of problems. Even though, it may not be the only factor.

Think about the stress of a teenager coming into what our society considers adulthood. Along with adulthood comes the stress of finding oneself and not knowing where they fit in this society. The pressures of finding a crowd or friends they have similar interests with or being picked on for being different by having glasses or being overweight. These may seem like nothing to some people but to a person who measures all their self-worth on these little things it can make a huge impact. Consider this statement, “Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain” (Metanoia). When the pain of something exceeds pain-coping resources suicidal feelings are obviously the result. Suicide is not wrong or right neither is it a defect of character I believe it is morally neutral. There is just an imbalance of pain versus coping resources. Some people have great coping skills and can adapt to anything and some have a harder time finder their niche in how to deal with big or little problems.

“Eight out of ten suicides give definite warnings, verbal or behavioral, of their intentions” (Befreinders). As for suicide attempts “For every five who complete suicide, four have made one or more previous attempts. Often these attempts are desperate cries for help and attention by people who feel so isolated they can express their pain in no other way” (Befrienders). What are the key signs of suicidal tendency? Of course, these are only a guideline I got from the American Association of Suicidology (A.A.S.). I believe every person may act a little differently and may only show a couple signs and some may show them all. The worst thing to do is not notice any difference in a person and in the end when tragedy has already hit and finding yourself saying, “We had no clue, no idea they were suicidal.”

+ Great change in eating or sleeping habits

+ Hyperactivity

+ Being accident-prone

+ Physical complaints

+ Aggressiveness

+ Withdrawal

+ Sudden loss of interest in prized possessions Ex. Favorite Pet or Friends

+ Anxiety or apathy

+ Overwhelming guilt or self-hate Ex. can never do anything right I am garbage”

+ Alcohol or drug abuse

+ Deep or prolonged grief over any loss Ex. Friend, Relative, or Pet

+ Apparent improvement after a period of depression. The person is seriously vulnerable to reversal now, and has more energy to act on suicidal thoughts.

Just remember every person young or old may act different. The suicide completion rate is highest for adults over 65 (Congress). One person may act like nothing is wrong and be covering a serious problem and another may be withdrawn and not willing to do anything. It is up to you to know the individual and the way they usual act.

What if you think someone is suicidal? To ask someone if they feel okay and if anything is bothering them may give the person a chance to express what is bothering them. Although you may not get it out of them in the first try if you sense something is wrong don’t stop trying. Discuss openly with them the idea of contemplating suicide and if they agree they have thought about it ask them if they have a plan. By asking the person about their feelings and plans you show you really care and can take them seriously. If you think they are too far-gone and will not talk to you, I suggest a known therapist or a support group. Remember if you find yourself in a situation where a person is in the process of attempting suicide stay with them do not leave them alone call for help. Help can be your trusted neighbor, police, or if needed an ambulance; this could save their live. Do not think you alone can handle someone who you think is dead set in killing themselves because believe it or not that person partly still wants to live but can not cope with something.

As a society we should embrace life and praise the individuality we have in our world. If there were no individuality we all would be the same and we would have such a boring unprogressive society. We should not berate people for being different because we ourselves are different then the next person also. Since not one person can know everyone in this world, you can only assume that you should treat everyone like your neighbor. If everyone did this then there would be no self-esteem or self-worth problems because everyone would feel wanted and be a real asset to our society. Think positive and learn to listen to others and you just might save someone’s life one day.

Works Cited

Befrienders Corp. “Youth Suicide.” June 1999 Online posting:

http:// www.jaring.my.befrienders/youth1.htm. Internet

Burchfield, Robert Dr., ed. Oxford American Dictionary.

New York: Oxford UP, 1980

Cloud, John. “What can the schools do?” Time

May 1999: 39-40

Metanoia. “Suicide: Read this first.” June 1999 Online posting:

http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/spagebw.htm. Internet

Santrock, John W. Children.

New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997

“To Understand and Prevent Suicide as a Means of Promoting Human Well-Being.”

American Association of Suicidology. Online. June 1999

United States. Congressional Record. Senate. Senate Resolution #84.

Vol.143. Washington: May 6,1997.