A Public Health Crisis: Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents a public health crisis (Whitlock, Wyman, & Moore, 2014). Adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible to suicidal behavior and ideation due to the changes and challenges they face during adolescence. Suicidal behaviors include nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and making plans. Nearly 25% of all adolescents will engage in NSSI. NSSI is a form of self-harm usually committed by burning or cutting oneself. Those who engage in this behavior tend to do so as a coping mechanism to reduce feelings of tension, anger or anxiety and depression; some even self-harm to feel something rather than nothing. Research has shown that those who engage in NSSI likely have a friend or family member who also engages in it (Steinberg, 2016). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The way the media portrays suicide victims and the behavior of their friends also influences a teenager's behavior. Studies of media reporting on suicide have shown that adolescents are influenced by fictional and non-fictional suicide cases and that the way a victim is portrayed has a significant impact on whether an adolescent will copy the behavior. For example, if a victim is shown to have been "liberated", as opposed to suffering from an illness, the influence becomes stronger. Suicide experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization prefer that the media cover suicide with an emphasis on the fact that the victim was under duress, that this is not a solution and that they encourage these. who feel desperate to seek help. Additionally, adolescents are more likely to commit suicide if a friend, family member, or community member commits suicide (Feuer & Havens, 2017). This is called suicide contagion, to which adolescents are more susceptible because they imitate behaviors from their environment (Steinberg, 2016). This research and recommendations report addresses the different transitions that adolescents go through and how these transitions can affect their lives. decision to commit suicide, a review of current data and articles on adolescent suicide, and recommendations on how to prevent suicide. Theory Adolescence is a difficult time because of the amount of biological, cognitive, and social changes an individual will go through. The hormonal changes that everyone experiences during puberty lead to changes in the body and sexual maturation and, depending on when the individual experiences these changes, can lead to dissatisfaction with their body image. Research has shown that early and late maturation relative to peers can lead to emotional difficulties. The intense pressure teens experience to be attractive and thin can lead to depression, anxiety, the development of eating disorders, and even panic attacks. Two established risk factors for suicide attempts are a psychiatric problem and stress (Steinberg, 2016). In addition to the differentchanges the body undergoes, the adolescent brain matures and develops. Adolescents begin to think abstractly, hypothetically, and in multiple dimensions. During this period, the development of understanding the personality of others through mentalization, that is, understanding someone else's mental state (Steinberg, 2016), takes place . Adolescents are also able to compare risks and rewards and become more emotional and reactive to stress. Although adolescents' thought processes mature, they are more likely than adults to engage in risky behaviors. These behaviors include reckless driving, unprotected sex, and substance abuse. These risky behaviors can turn into coping mechanisms in depressed individuals that increase the risk of suicide attempts (Risk factors and warning signs, afsp.org, 2018). In social transitions, if there are discontinuous transitions, that is to say transitions that do not occur smoothly. and the entry into new life events is more sudden, adolescents are more at risk of being stressed. Stress is another established risk factor for suicide attempts. The fourth and final is parental rejection, family breakdown or prolonged family conflict. During the period of social transition, it is likely that adolescents will be increasingly separated from their parents. This is usually done through summer camps or boarding schools. This separation, while not a bad thing in itself, can weaken relationships and make it difficult for teens to know where to turn for help. Literature ReviewStatisticsSuicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals this age. 10 to 24. Approximately 157,000 of these people are treated in emergency rooms for self-inflicted injuries and/or suicide attempts, and 4,600 die each year (Suicide Statistics, afsp.org, nd). 10% of adolescent girls and 5% of adolescent boys will attempt suicide, with men more likely to die by suicide. The current suicide rate is the highest in 10 years. Research suggests that the increased availability of drugs, alcohol, and firearms may be a factor in this (Steinberg, 2016). In 2016 alone, guns were used in 51% of suicides. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) believes that suicide attempts are likely underreported due to the stigma surrounding mental illness (2018). There are several organizations with similar goals in raising awareness, educating the public about mental health, and providing resources and support to those affected by suicide. AFSP and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) are two organizations referenced in this report. Warning Signs There are 3 categories of warning signs that indicate someone might be considering suicide. Important warning signs to watch for are any changes in the way a person speaks (for example, talking about killing themselves, wishing they were dead, feeling trapped or hopeless), behaves (for example, increased use of drugs or drugs). (alcohol, isolating yourself, saying goodbye). , or giving away valuable possessions), or any drastic or sudden change in mood (for example, depression, loss of interest, feelings of shame or humiliation, or very sudden improvement) (Risk factors and warning signs , afsp.org, 2018). FactorsIn an effort to end this epidemic, certain protective factors or environmental characteristics help protect people from suicide. These include careeffective behavioral health practices, connections to individuals, family and community, life skills, self-esteem and meaning in life, and cultural, religious or personal beliefs that discourage suicide (Factors of suicide risk and protection, sprc.org, nd). In Connectedness and Suicide Prevention in Adolescents: Pathways and Implications, published in the Official Journal of the American Association of Suicidology, Whitlock, Wyman and Moore for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an initiative to increase connectivity; connectivity is often used interchangeably with related contexts such as attachment, bonding, and social support (Whitlock et al., 2014). It is important to note that connections with peers and friends are not sufficient to prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). Disconnection from peers and connection with peers may increase the risk of STB due to groups that may be unconventionally supportive of STB. Whitlock et al. suggest that there are two areas of intervention to improve connectivity: positive subjective cognitive and emotional experiences and evaluations of relationships with adults, peers, and social systems such as schools, and structural interdependence between networks in which young people are integrated (2014). The article Help-seeking behaviors of adolescents with emotional disorders: a survival assessment the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program, published in the Journal of School Nursing and authored by Strunk, Sorter, Ossege and King, analyzes the Help-seeking behaviors among adolescents with emotional difficulties. They describe the Surviving the Teens program for middle and high school students, Steps to LAST. The Steps to LAST initiative uses a mnemonic tool to help troubled teens help themselves in times of crisis. For the individual, LAST means Let someone know what is troubling you, Ask for and accept support from others, Share your feelings, and Talk to an adult who can help. When reaching out and helping a troubled teen, the LAST steps are Listen and look for signs of depression/suicide, Ask specific questions about suicide, Show support, and Talk to an adult who can help. This program also teaches educators how to look for warning signs in their students. Strunk et al. found that this program has had promising results in schools (2013). Finally, in the article Teen Experiences Following a Suicide Attempt by Holliday and Vandermause, found in the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, there are two models of suicide. attempts: to attempt as to communicate and to attempt as to transform. In the suicide-as-communicator model, adolescents found it difficult to tell others about their suffering and the attempt was their “story.” In this case, the attempt preceded the language. In one case study, a young girl named Jennifer explained that she attempted suicide because she was unable to communicate her suicidal thoughts. She reportedly said she felt betrayed because those close to her didn't notice the little signs she was giving. Steinberg wrote that teens who attempt suicide have typically made cries for help and tend to feel trapped, hopeless and worthless. The support they seek from friends and family is not received, which coincides with Jennifer's (2015) account. In the schema of the attempt as well as the transformation, the attempts created a gap between life before and after the attempt. The interviews conducted by Holiday andVanermause revealed that those surveyed felt disconnected from their support group before their attempt. However, after the attempt, they reconnect with family and bond with counselors. The connection with counselors helped adolescents realize that the connection to family had always been there (2015). Case in point: My family and I all thought my little brother Nathan was just a normal 13-year-old with normal difficulties. He loved video games and playing with LEGOs. He seemed happy even though he had been struggling at school recently. He had had problems with other students and some teachers as well, but he seemed to be holding up well. Dr. Rachel Mallory, Ph.D., RPsych, said sometimes it's hard to see the warning signs when warning signs are the norm (2014). It was late when my mother called. My husband and I were hanging out at home when she told us we needed to get to the hospital ASAP; Nathan had had an accident. My stomach dropped and I immediately knew there was more to the story. I asked him if he was injured. My mother paused: “Yes, hurry up. » Nathan is the youngest in our family, so it's just him and my other brother who live at home. One of my little sisters was coming from college that weekend because Sunday was Mother's Day. It had been a busy Friday night and everyone was out of the house. Nathan had cleaned his room and once alone, he entered his closet with a belt. Shortly after, my parents and another sister came home and my dad went to see Nathan. If you ask my parents, they will tell you that everything was happening in slow motion. They worked quickly to get him down, begin CPR and call for help. By the time my dad was able to revive Nathan, an ambulance was there to take him to the hospital and not a moment too soon when he started having seizures. Nathan hadn't written a note. My father greeted my husband and me in the emergency department when we arrived. He was crying. My mother was with Nathan and my little sister who was with them when they found him. My other siblings were in a waiting room. Once everyone arrived, we entered the room. Nathan was always with us, even though he was strapped to his hospital bed and there were tubes everywhere. I was angry, sad, confused and most of all heartbroken. I didn't understand how we couldn't have known this was going to happen? Why didn't he come to us for help? Weren't we there for him? Why would he do this? After only a few hours at that hospital, he was transferred to Primary Children's Medical Center from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We later find out that the staff at the first hospital didn't think he was going to make it and had Nathan travel in an ambulance rather than being flown out. He was put into a medically induced coma so his brain could heal from the lack of oxygen and resulting seizures. He remained in a coma for more than a day. By a miracle, he had survived. But we were all wondering, “Would he be in a wheelchair and need diapers?” When will he wake up? Would it be the same? How could we ever be the same? » Naters spent several days in the PICU recovering from his attempt. We visited him every day we could. On Sunday we all signed a card for my exhausted mother. Nathan wrote, “Happy Birthday!” Although it brought some much-needed levity in a very difficult time, we all wondered how we could think that.

Essay / A Public Health Crisis: Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents a public health crisis (Whitlock, Wyman, & Moore, 2014). Adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible to suicidal behavior and ideation due to the changes and challenges they face during adolescence. Suicidal behaviors include nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and making plans. Nearly 25% of all adolescents will engage in NSSI. NSSI is a form of self-harm usually committed by burning or cutting oneself. Those who engage in this behavior tend to do so as a coping mechanism to reduce feelings of tension, anger or anxiety and depression; some even self-harm to feel something rather than nothing. Research has shown that those who engage in NSSI likely have a friend or family member who also engages in it (Steinberg, 2016). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The way the media portrays suicide victims and the behavior of their friends also influences a teenager's behavior. Studies of media reporting on suicide have shown that adolescents are influenced by fictional and non-fictional suicide cases and that the way a victim is portrayed has a significant impact on whether an adolescent will copy the behavior. For example, if a victim is shown to have been "liberated", as opposed to suffering from an illness, the influence becomes stronger. Suicide experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization prefer that the media cover suicide with an emphasis on the fact that the victim was under duress, that this is not a solution and that they encourage these. who feel desperate to seek help. Additionally, adolescents are more likely to commit suicide if a friend, family member, or community member commits suicide (Feuer & Havens, 2017). This is called suicide contagion, to which adolescents are more susceptible because they imitate behaviors from their environment (Steinberg, 2016). This research and recommendations report addresses the different transitions that adolescents go through and how these transitions can affect their lives. decision to commit suicide, a review of current data and articles on adolescent suicide, and recommendations on how to prevent suicide. Theory Adolescence is a difficult time because of the amount of biological, cognitive, and social changes an individual will go through. The hormonal changes that everyone experiences during puberty lead to changes in the body and sexual maturation and, depending on when the individual experiences these changes, can lead to dissatisfaction with their body image. Research has shown that early and late maturation relative to peers can lead to emotional difficulties. The intense pressure teens experience to be attractive and thin can lead to depression, anxiety, the development of eating disorders, and even panic attacks. Two established risk factors for suicide attempts are a psychiatric problem and stress (Steinberg, 2016). In addition to the differentchanges the body undergoes, the adolescent brain matures and develops. Adolescents begin to think abstractly, hypothetically, and in multiple dimensions. During this period, the development of understanding the personality of others through mentalization, that is, understanding someone else's mental state (Steinberg, 2016), takes place . Adolescents are also able to compare risks and rewards and become more emotional and reactive to stress. Although adolescents' thought processes mature, they are more likely than adults to engage in risky behaviors. These behaviors include reckless driving, unprotected sex, and substance abuse. These risky behaviors can turn into coping mechanisms in depressed individuals that increase the risk of suicide attempts (Risk factors and warning signs, afsp.org, 2018). In social transitions, if there are discontinuous transitions, that is to say transitions that do not occur smoothly. and the entry into new life events is more sudden, adolescents are more at risk of being stressed. Stress is another established risk factor for suicide attempts. The fourth and final is parental rejection, family breakdown or prolonged family conflict. During the period of social transition, it is likely that adolescents will be increasingly separated from their parents. This is usually done through summer camps or boarding schools. This separation, while not a bad thing in itself, can weaken relationships and make it difficult for teens to know where to turn for help. Literature ReviewStatisticsSuicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals this age. 10 to 24. Approximately 157,000 of these people are treated in emergency rooms for self-inflicted injuries and/or suicide attempts, and 4,600 die each year (Suicide Statistics, afsp.org, nd). 10% of adolescent girls and 5% of adolescent boys will attempt suicide, with men more likely to die by suicide. The current suicide rate is the highest in 10 years. Research suggests that the increased availability of drugs, alcohol, and firearms may be a factor in this (Steinberg, 2016). In 2016 alone, guns were used in 51% of suicides. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) believes that suicide attempts are likely underreported due to the stigma surrounding mental illness (2018). There are several organizations with similar goals in raising awareness, educating the public about mental health, and providing resources and support to those affected by suicide. AFSP and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) are two organizations referenced in this report. Warning Signs There are 3 categories of warning signs that indicate someone might be considering suicide. Important warning signs to watch for are any changes in the way a person speaks (for example, talking about killing themselves, wishing they were dead, feeling trapped or hopeless), behaves (for example, increased use of drugs or drugs). (alcohol, isolating yourself, saying goodbye). , or giving away valuable possessions), or any drastic or sudden change in mood (for example, depression, loss of interest, feelings of shame or humiliation, or very sudden improvement) (Risk factors and warning signs , afsp.org, 2018). FactorsIn an effort to end this epidemic, certain protective factors or environmental characteristics help protect people from suicide. These include careeffective behavioral health practices, connections to individuals, family and community, life skills, self-esteem and meaning in life, and cultural, religious or personal beliefs that discourage suicide (Factors of suicide risk and protection, sprc.org, nd). In Connectedness and Suicide Prevention in Adolescents: Pathways and Implications, published in the Official Journal of the American Association of Suicidology, Whitlock, Wyman and Moore for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an initiative to increase connectivity; connectivity is often used interchangeably with related contexts such as attachment, bonding, and social support (Whitlock et al., 2014). It is important to note that connections with peers and friends are not sufficient to prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). Disconnection from peers and connection with peers may increase the risk of STB due to groups that may be unconventionally supportive of STB. Whitlock et al. suggest that there are two areas of intervention to improve connectivity: positive subjective cognitive and emotional experiences and evaluations of relationships with adults, peers, and social systems such as schools, and structural interdependence between networks in which young people are integrated (2014). The article Help-seeking behaviors of adolescents with emotional disorders: a survival assessment the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program, published in the Journal of School Nursing and authored by Strunk, Sorter, Ossege and King, analyzes the Help-seeking behaviors among adolescents with emotional difficulties. They describe the Surviving the Teens program for middle and high school students, Steps to LAST. The Steps to LAST initiative uses a mnemonic tool to help troubled teens help themselves in times of crisis. For the individual, LAST means Let someone know what is troubling you, Ask for and accept support from others, Share your feelings, and Talk to an adult who can help. When reaching out and helping a troubled teen, the LAST steps are Listen and look for signs of depression/suicide, Ask specific questions about suicide, Show support, and Talk to an adult who can help. This program also teaches educators how to look for warning signs in their students. Strunk et al. found that this program has had promising results in schools (2013). Finally, in the article Teen Experiences Following a Suicide Attempt by Holliday and Vandermause, found in the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, there are two models of suicide. attempts: to attempt as to communicate and to attempt as to transform. In the suicide-as-communicator model, adolescents found it difficult to tell others about their suffering and the attempt was their “story.” In this case, the attempt preceded the language. In one case study, a young girl named Jennifer explained that she attempted suicide because she was unable to communicate her suicidal thoughts. She reportedly said she felt betrayed because those close to her didn't notice the little signs she was giving. Steinberg wrote that teens who attempt suicide have typically made cries for help and tend to feel trapped, hopeless and worthless. The support they seek from friends and family is not received, which coincides with Jennifer's (2015) account. In the schema of the attempt as well as the transformation, the attempts created a gap between life before and after the attempt. The interviews conducted by Holiday andVanermause revealed that those surveyed felt disconnected from their support group before their attempt. However, after the attempt, they reconnect with family and bond with counselors. The connection with counselors helped adolescents realize that the connection to family had always been there (2015). Case in point: My family and I all thought my little brother Nathan was just a normal 13-year-old with normal difficulties. He loved video games and playing with LEGOs. He seemed happy even though he had been struggling at school recently. He had had problems with other students and some teachers as well, but he seemed to be holding up well. Dr. Rachel Mallory, Ph.D., RPsych, said sometimes it's hard to see the warning signs when warning signs are the norm (2014). It was late when my mother called. My husband and I were hanging out at home when she told us we needed to get to the hospital ASAP; Nathan had had an accident. My stomach dropped and I immediately knew there was more to the story. I asked him if he was injured. My mother paused: “Yes, hurry up. » Nathan is the youngest in our family, so it's just him and my other brother who live at home. One of my little sisters was coming from college that weekend because Sunday was Mother's Day. It had been a busy Friday night and everyone was out of the house. Nathan had cleaned his room and once alone, he entered his closet with a belt. Shortly after, my parents and another sister came home and my dad went to see Nathan. If you ask my parents, they will tell you that everything was happening in slow motion. They worked quickly to get him down, begin CPR and call for help. By the time my dad was able to revive Nathan, an ambulance was there to take him to the hospital and not a moment too soon when he started having seizures. Nathan hadn't written a note. My father greeted my husband and me in the emergency department when we arrived. He was crying. My mother was with Nathan and my little sister who was with them when they found him. My other siblings were in a waiting room. Once everyone arrived, we entered the room. Nathan was always with us, even though he was strapped to his hospital bed and there were tubes everywhere. I was angry, sad, confused and most of all heartbroken. I didn't understand how we couldn't have known this was going to happen? Why didn't he come to us for help? Weren't we there for him? Why would he do this? After only a few hours at that hospital, he was transferred to Primary Children's Medical Center from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We later find out that the staff at the first hospital didn't think he was going to make it and had Nathan travel in an ambulance rather than being flown out. He was put into a medically induced coma so his brain could heal from the lack of oxygen and resulting seizures. He remained in a coma for more than a day. By a miracle, he had survived. But we were all wondering, “Would he be in a wheelchair and need diapers?” When will he wake up? Would it be the same? How could we ever be the same? » Naters spent several days in the PICU recovering from his attempt. We visited him every day we could. On Sunday we all signed a card for my exhausted mother. Nathan wrote, “Happy Birthday!” Although it brought some much-needed levity in a very difficult time, we all wondered how we could think that.

Navigation

« Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Get In Touch