Suicide

13 Pages 3248 Words

he final explanation as to what pushes
the kids over the edge and why they choose to die. Maybe it’s the peer
pressure, or the painful reality of growing up in a time in your life where
it's important to be accepted by your peers. Or maybe the teen is in a condition
of extreme guilt or shame, they could be pregnant or might think they are pregnant
and are ashamed to tell their parents. But the most concrete reason Psychologists
say there is, is the severe depression some teens go through. They might have an
extremely bad day or week when nothing seems to go right. Psychiatrists cite certain
factors that often lead to depression; they include new surroundings, family problems,
failure, the ending of a relationship, or death. And in some cases there seem to be no
reasons at all. Just like the case of an African-American male named Todd Robinson,
who was in the lower risk category for suicide. According to statistics, on any given
day, only five African-American men can be expected to take their lives. On July 7,
1987 Todd became one of those men. He shot himself in the head in his room. His
parents didn't expect anything. He just graduated from high school, had a bright
future ahead of him, and didn't really have any physical or emotional problems.
Even after they looked through his journal there wasn't really any clue, but his
last entry read "Lately the thought of suicide has crossed my mind. I don't know
why. I have a wonderful family and friends. I have an excellent future ahead of
me. But I'm going to do it. Mom, Dad, don't fall apart." Sometimes there is just
no explanation, again there really is no telling what goes on in kids minds as they
contemplate taking their lives.
The Centers for Disease Control report that between 1980 and 1993 the suicide rate has
risen 120% for 10-14 year olds, and for 15-19 year olds it has risen almost 30%. Also,
between 1970 and 1980 one out of every s...