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Suicide
oped stage, belonging could outweigh the need for self-pres- ervation. Not belonging and not being able to cope with trau- matic consequences drives the troubled youth to extreme res- olutions.
the Cultural Issue
This information is nothing new. There have been many articles written that discuss these tragedies. In 1983, six Pla- no, Texas students committed suicide during six consecutive months as a resolution to problems they were unable to face. More notable scenarios include the mass killing at Columbine High School in 1999 where two boys decided to take their lives after killing 28 students and 1 teacher during an ordinary school day. At that time, the event was the most horrific school shooting in U.S. history. It was later followed by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings where 19 students and 6 educators died at the hands of a mentally ill 20-year-old. We have seen an increase in school shootings creating mass ter- ror prior to committing self-harm. This type of danger brings harm to other young people who are not suicidal removing their future by association with the suicidal victim. These sto- ries leave a troubling history to cases where parents and coun- selors were unable to prevent the worst-case scenario.
Even more recent and troubling is the reported increase in internet suicidal searches after the release of the 2017 HBO series 13 Reasons Why. The show depicts a teenage girl who decides to take her own life after facing a traumatic series of events. She recounts her tale through 13 tapes each describing one person that led to her decision. It makes us question: are we creating chaos for our children by sending them to public school? Should we conduct more research on attitudes in ho- meschooling vs traditional education? How much supervision is too much or too little? Can we do more?
In some ways, these episodes shed light on potential thought patterns that might lead to self-harm. However, the graphic storyline is also a recipe for anyone who has contemplated tak- ing their life. From a social psychological perspective, we need to question the responsibility that media networks undertake when broadcasting this type of programming.
What we do learn from these events is that we must listen for the call of help from the mouths of babes. It is easy to say that we are unable to predict suicidal behavior because someone did not share their feelings. This is an attempt to forgive our- selves when we have failed to be there when we were needed. We look back to the reason that the victim separated them- selves from help when it was possible that we were too busy. Suicide is preventable for the young, middle-aged, and the old.
-Dr. Shawn Washington
If someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the Nation- al Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). The line is always open and staffed with trained counselors. Never leave anyone alone who is threatening to kill themselves. Make sure to keep the person calm, get help from others, take them to the nearest emer- gency room, or call 911.
Suicide remains a growing problem affecting our youth to- day. The World Health Organization reports suicide as the second leading cause of death for individuals 15-29. While most of these deaths can be prevented through strategic in- tervention, society remains slow to react to solutions that might save the devastation of friends, family, and most im- portantly the life of the individual. We continue to search for ways to save a young life from making this decision.
Research shows a link between mental disorders and personal crisis that can trigger emotional trauma resulting in self-harm. Despite the increased discussion on mental health, there is still a stigmatic association with seeking help with one’s feelings. Sometimes a person does not realize that he has a mental disorder. Qualified counselors and other mental health professionals remain helpless when individu- als fail to understand that a problem exists. This is a problem within itself. Without this realization, professionals are un- able to intervene to prevent potentially suicidal behaviors. Robinson, Bailey, and Witt et al. conducted a review of in- terventions used to reduce suicide-related behaviors and determined that young people require specific attention when it comes to prevention. There has been an increase in youth prevented studies; however, there appears to be little evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions alone. One of the obstacles includes separating theoretical pre- sumptions based on subjects who are consumed by suicide ideation rather than suicidal intent. Both serious but one more critical than the other.
When a young adult, parent, or caretaker understands that a problem exists it does not mean that corrective action is taken. It simply means that there is a concern for potential suicidal behavior. In adult cases, researchers have found that suicides can occur when one is unable to deal with certain life stresses, such as money, romantic break-ups or chronic physical or mental illness. Studies also state that experienc- ing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are associated with suicidal behavior.
Younger people face age-related traumas while still learn- ing how to cope with difficult situations. In teen behavior- al studies there continues to be evidence of social shaming taken against those who do not conform to societal norms. There is a human need to belong. At a mentally undevel-
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