Suicide Among Youth

Suicide among First Nations youth has been occurring at an alarming rate in recent years. It is now a global problem of increasing magnitude and was shared by the rich and poor countries. The most advanced industrialised countries, however, have experienced a rapid increase in youth suicide. According to a study by an American sociologist, David Lester (1988), youth suicide has increased dramatically in many countries since 1970. The youth suicide death rate is defined as the number of deaths attributed to suicide among persons 15-24 years per 100,000 of the age group population. Nationwide, 10 teens kill themselves weekly and, for each one, there may be another 200 who attempt suicide, according to University of Ottawa research. Suicide is an irrational desire to die, a symptom and sign of serious depression. Mental issues and depression are a theme for many youth who take their own lives. Depression is a treatable disorder, but often the treatment takes time, energy and effort on the part of the person who is feeling depressed. For some, suicide becomes a means of escape when there are few alternative choices available. Suicide affects all youth, but some groups are at higher risk than others. Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. Of the reported suicides in the 10 to 24 age group, 81% of the deaths were males and 19% were females. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys. For every attempted suicide, there is thought to be one or more people where the thought of suicide has never translated into an actual attempt. With over a half a million people making a suicidal attempt each year, this translates into a huge problem that society largely ignores or tries to sweep under the rug. Although life is full of possibilities in our teen years, it is also full of difficult choices and transitions. The whole process turns out well for most of us, but it is still a very difficult one and causes a huge amount of anxiety and...