Depression  Suicide  Bullying

SUICIDE IS A TEENAGE  EPIDEMIC
By Brenda High

The statistics show that that suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among those 15 to 25 years of age and the 6th leading cause of death among those 5 to 14 years of age.  Can you believe that 5 year olds are killing themselves!  Are these isolated incidents?  No, its estimated that 500,000 teenagers try to kill themselves every year, and about 5000 succeed.  That's right up there with cancer and homicide. 

Many families who have experienced suicide try to hide what happened from their community, and sometimes try to deny what they experienced from each other.  Sadly, rather than face suicide as a fact of how their loved one died, many victims (survivors) never talk about it in open conversation.  As Jared's mom, I can testify that the subject of Jared's suicide was an uncomfortable subject to talk about the first few years after Jared died. 

Who does the silence hurt, you might ask?  First of all, the immediate family and acquaintances of the suicide victim. Because everyone needs to grieve at a loved ones death, lack of communication between friends and family can only hurt a healing heart.  Humans have a strong desire to talk about and have deep discussions with others who understand the loss of a loved one.  The greatest fear of anyone who has lost a child is that everyone will forget their loved one who has died, that their child's name will forever be excluded from conversation.

Some people think that by talking about suicide, the attention might encourage others to commit the act of suicide.  Actually, the opposite is true.  Open and honest discussion is the best prevention for suicide as well as any emotional, or even physical condition.  How many people have been saved from Cancer because they shared a concern with someone who then helped them to seek help.  Talking about suicide gives thought to the consequences and victims left behind.  And with a little help and time, almost anyone can be helped with suicidal feelings.  But it has to be talked about first!

Studies have shown that as many as fifty percent of the general public have seriously considered suicide as a solution to our problems.  I would dare say that at some time in everyone's life, everyone has had, at least, a passing thought of the suicide option.  The danger is when a person thinks about suicide while they have depression - when thoughts have a hard time escaping the entrapment of a clouded brain.

Watch for events in the child's or adults life that might trigger depression.

Examples may be: 

• A death of a family member or close friend - which could include a fellow student from school
• An assault, car accident or painful physical event - which could include physical bullying
• Mental, or emotional event - which could include non-physical bullying
• Marriage breakup, or love lost suddenly - which could include "breaking up" with a girlfriend or boyfriend
• Constant physical, mental, or emotional pain that goes on for a length of time - which includes constant bullying that is not intervened, resolved or stopped entirely
• Major Financial setback - which includes a teenager who may have lost a job
• Something "embarrassing" happens - as an example; getting kicked off a football team or a public insult by a teacher or popular student; bullying
• Failing an important exam a school - not a normal trigger unless the exam was life changing and the individual is under a lot of stress
• A best friend moves out of town - especially true for teenagers who are being bullied and have very few friends as it is
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If you or your loved one has experienced any of the above triggers of depression, be aware that depression might follow and take some preventative precautions, such as counseling, intervention, or learning stress reduction techniques. 

# 1 CAUSE OF SUICIDE:  UNTREATED DEPRESSION

It can be very hard to diagnose depression.  There are many different kinds of depression and not all people will have the same symptoms, or have them to the same degree.  Here are some symptom to watch for and if they last more than a few weeks, a doctor or psychiatrist should be consulted.

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless
• pessimistic and or guilty
• Substance abuse
• Fatigued or loss of interest in ordinary activities
• Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns
• Irritability, increased crying, anxiety and panic attacks, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts
• Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment


If you or your loved one has four or more of the symptoms of depression above and nothing seems to help those symptoms go away, get help!  Sometimes, just being diagnosed with Clinical Depression will be the best thing to help you or a loved one get on the road to recovery.

DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE

• Talking about suicide, or killing oneself, even in a joking manner - 
• Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
• Preoccupation with death
• Suddenly happier, calmer
• Loss of interest in things one used to care about
• Visiting or calling people one cares about
• Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order
• Giving things away

Get a free e-book, Suicide, The Forever Decision, by Paul Quinett, Ph.D.  Go to http://www.qprinstitute.com to download.

Watch Jared's Story, Brenda's Story and Jared's Sister's Story on the
E! Network, first aired - 4/21/2010 - E! Investigates: Bullying

About Suicide

http://www.JaredStory.com/facts_fables.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/feeling_suicidal.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/garrett_smith.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/joshua.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/kasey.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/kasey_depression.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/kasey_theloveof.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/peale_sorrow.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/suicide.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/suicide_and_schools.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/suicide_info.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/suicide_triggers.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/teen_epidemic.html
 

About Depression

http://www.JaredStory.com/depression.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/depression_causes.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/depression_food_therapy.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/depression_seizure_device.html
 

Dealing With Grief

http://www.JaredStory.com/dealing_with_grief.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/dealing_with_grief102.html

http://www.JaredStory.com/dealing_with_grief103.html

>>>>>> SUPPORT AND OUTREACH TELEPHONE NUMBERS
• For Survivors of Suicide call  -  1-800-646-7322
• The Hope Line Network - 1800 SUICIDE (784-2433)
• If thinking of suicide call: 1-800-999-9999 NOW or call Samaritan's Suicide Hotline at 212-673-3000 or look up a local phone number in Suicide Hotlines and  PLEASE CALL NOW!
• Recommend - Suicide, The Forever Decision, by Paul Quinett, Ph.D.  Go to http://www.qprinstitute.com to download.
• INFORMATION - ORGANIZATIONS - PROJECTS

Keep the BALANCE in your life!
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