How Parents can help prevent suicide
- By Jack williams
- Published Tuesday 30th 2008
- Teens
- Unrated
Although people are hesitant to speak about suicide, with the growing incidence of suicides particularly among youngsters, it is important to speak up.
There are many reasons for suicide, such as crisis or emotional pain caused by the loss of loved ones or other events that one has no control over. However, the major reason for suicide is depression. Thankfully, we can do a lot to prevent suicides due to depression.
Here are some eye-opening statistics about suicides from the world health organization:
"In the year 2000, approximately one million people died from suicide, a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds".
"In the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the 3 leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years ".
"Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in both developed and developing countries".
"Mental disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide; however, suicide results from many complex socio-cultural factors and is more likely to occur particularly during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis situations (e.g. loss of a loved one, employment,etc)".
Every parent, friend or person related to someone who has committed suicide, experiences feelings of guilt and regret for not being able to recognize the problem. It is hard to prevent something like this from occurring if everyone is smugly convinced that "it will never happen to me". The problem is that many parents remain unaware of the problems their kids might be facing.
If you are asking yourself what you can do to help prevent a suicide, here are things you can do:
Assess your teens' emotional intelligence. Do they have good friends? Are they doing well at school/college? Do they have hobbies? Do they seem honest and forthcoming or does it look like they are hiding something all the time? Can they describe their feelings? Do they confide in you or in someone who's a responsible adult?
Encourage your teen to read about personal growth and spend time with inspiring and supportive people.
Find a good, experienced life coach for your teen, someone who has a successful track record with teenagers.
If your teenager lacks self-confidence or is unable to make decisions, it is a good idea to approach a counselor/psychologist.
There are many reasons for suicide, such as crisis or emotional pain caused by the loss of loved ones or other events that one has no control over. However, the major reason for suicide is depression. Thankfully, we can do a lot to prevent suicides due to depression.
Here are some eye-opening statistics about suicides from the world health organization:
"In the year 2000, approximately one million people died from suicide, a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds".
"In the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the 3 leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years ".
"Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in both developed and developing countries".
"Mental disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide; however, suicide results from many complex socio-cultural factors and is more likely to occur particularly during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis situations (e.g. loss of a loved one, employment,etc)".
Every parent, friend or person related to someone who has committed suicide, experiences feelings of guilt and regret for not being able to recognize the problem. It is hard to prevent something like this from occurring if everyone is smugly convinced that "it will never happen to me". The problem is that many parents remain unaware of the problems their kids might be facing.
If you are asking yourself what you can do to help prevent a suicide, here are things you can do:
Assess your teens' emotional intelligence. Do they have good friends? Are they doing well at school/college? Do they have hobbies? Do they seem honest and forthcoming or does it look like they are hiding something all the time? Can they describe their feelings? Do they confide in you or in someone who's a responsible adult?
Encourage your teen to read about personal growth and spend time with inspiring and supportive people.
Find a good, experienced life coach for your teen, someone who has a successful track record with teenagers.
If your teenager lacks self-confidence or is unable to make decisions, it is a good idea to approach a counselor/psychologist.