Introduction
One may think that teenagers are too young to experience depression resulting from the hard circumstances of life but the truth is that their minds are too young and fragile to endure the minimal depression they experience in their teens. Since the teens are at their peak of growth and development, many things that range from biological puberty changes into social factors of peer pressure and identity cloud their minds making them develop suicidal feelings and thoughts. Hence, statistics and causes have shown that teenagers are more vulnerable to committing suicide although this is preventable.
Main body
Statistics have proved that suicide is one of the major causes of death in teenagers. According to Scheff, “suicide is the third most common cause of death amongst adolescents between 15-24 years of age, and the sixth most cause of death amongst 5-14-year-olds” (1). These statistics show the extent to which teens are vulnerable to suicide as compared to other age brackets. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) supports the scientific evidence that “…almost all people who take their own lives have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder, and the majority have more than one disorder” (2). This means that teenage suicide is a complication of many factors that are dominant at teen ages and can result in depression and eventual trigger suicidal feelings and thoughts.
Some causes of suicide revolve around the experiences of teenagers making them more vulnerable. Although teenagers are more vulnerable to committing suicide, some predisposing factors and circumstances trigger the depression and subsequent development of suicidal feelings and thoughts. The predisposing factors and circumstances include the loss of the loved one, broken relationships, drug abuse, failing exams, rejection in the family, and mental disorders. Scientific studies of the brain have shown that “…those who have attempted suicide have low levels of the brain chemical serotonin” (NAMI 4). The function of serotonin is to reduce compulsive behavior and if their levels in the brain are very low then one is prone to commit suicide because suicidal action is an impulse.
Even though teenagers are more vulnerable to committing suicide, their predisposition can be reduced and thus prevent the occurrence of suicide. Teenagers who are contemplating committing suicide have nurtured overwhelming suicidal thoughts and feelings. They require absolute attention in terms of therapy and company to help them recover from their state of depression. NAMI recommends that “the most important thing to do if you think a friend or loved one is suicidal is to communicate with him or her openly and frequently” (6). If the suicidal feelings and thoughts persist, it is wise to seek professional support from a counselor or a therapist. A psychiatrist will give appropriate advice and antidepressants as medication to help the youth recover. Recovering from depression takes time hence constant monitoring on the part of the family is necessary as suicidal feelings and thoughts can recur at any time.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the vulnerability of teenagers to commit suicide can be attributed to the hard and new experiences, the teenagers encounter at their teen ages, which are overwhelming. The hard experiences are overwhelming because they are still young and their minds are not hardened with the tough experiences of life, hence, they need some support and assistance to enable them to endure distresses and depression that often triggers suicidal feelings and thoughts.
Works Cited
National Alliance on Mental Illness. Teenage Suicide. NAMI Organization, 2010. Web.
Scheff, Susan. Teenage Suicide. Parents Universal Resources Experts, 2009. Web.