Changing the World One Life at a Time

By Brittany Hadlock

Changing the World One Life at a Time

About 7 percent of high school students attempt to take their lives, and about 14 percent of high school students have suicidal thoughts. Approximately 1 million people die from suicide each year. The amount of suicides per year in the US is about 38,000 people. About 100 people a day will commit suicide and take their own life. The leading group is white males, followed by white females. An average of about 1 person every 14 minutes will have killed themselves. The top three methods that people are using are firearm suicides leading at 50.5%, suffocation/hanging at 24.7%, and cut/piercing at 1.8%.There are several reasons why this tragic reoccurrence is becoming such a trend in today’s society. It could be because of something psychological like depression, disorders, or have to do with something like alcohol or drugs. Usually families that have a history of suicide are more likely to have it happen again somewhere in the family. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, loneliness, anxiety, self-hate, recent loss, fear of losing control, low self-esteem, or guilt could also be a major contributor. There are some signs to look out for to be aware of someone that might be thinking suicidal thoughts. If someone says, “You’d be better off without me”, or “I won’t be around [or bothering you] much longer”; anything to this effect. Also, if there are changes in personality, behavior, sleeping patterns, eating habits, or losing interest in things such as friends, appearance, or hobbies that they have always cared about in the past.

If there is a concern about someone debating suicide it is important that you stay calm and ask them if they are thinking about suicide. Make sure not to be judgmental or accusatory, and keep their best interests in mind at all times. Immediately tell someone that can help and get some intervention. Find out what it is that is making them feel this way and help them to feel better. Don’t leave them alone – especially in a place where they could easily harm themselves. Assure them that they will not feel like this forever, and there are people that care about them.

When I was 11 years old I lived in Brighton, Colorado. I had a friend named Morgan at my school that didn’t have any friends. One day I asked her if she wanted to have a sleepover with me and my best friend. Morgan agreed to go and that night I got to know a lot about her. I found out that just a few days prior her best friend since diapers had committed suicide. Morgan’s friend had gone to the bathroom at a public school in Denver and slit her throat with a knife. Shortly after she took her own life, someone else at the school walked in the bathroom to find her lying lifeless on the ground. She was only 12 at the time. Morgan knew that her best friend wasn’t the happiest person around, but I’m not sure if she knew anything about suicidal thoughts. She was heartbroken. I was really disturbed after I found out because I couldn’t understand what could be so excruciatingly bad about her life that she would want to end it before it ever even really began. Morgan was never the same.

Suicide affects a lot of people. It affects friends, family, and even communities, and something needs to be done about it. A lot of times people don’t want to die; they just want to stop the pain that they are feeling. “Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable…But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lies. They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they just can’t see one.” (helpguide.org).

Social media can have an effect on teen suicide. Most teens use some kind of social media which gives a bully 24 hour access to their victim. Social media can also be used in a positive way to fight teen suicide, to encourage and to reach out to people. Pages and groups could start on all of the different social medias to fight the battle of depression or suicide, and other teens and adults can help through the program.

One really good suicide prevention program is the Yellow Ribbon. “Originally founded in 1994 by Dale and Dar Emme as a 501c3 Non Profit Youth Organization. Mission statement: Yellow Ribbon is dedicated to preventing youth suicide and attempts by Making Suicide Prevention Accessible to Everyone and Removing Barriers to Help by empowering communities and individuals through leadership, awareness and education and by collaborating partnering with support networks to save lives” (yellowribbon.org). They offer support for survivors, community development by building preparedness and readiness, suicide prevention gatekeeper training, youth programs and activities, consulting and coalition development, inspirational and motivational presentations, and more. They are a community based organization that is designed to serve the youth and surrounding communities with volunteers and donations. Their focuses are awareness, education, prevention, and postvention. If ever there is a time when you or someone you know is in potential danger they have a hotline to call for help. I think the Yellow Ribbon would be good for my community because it really seems to reach out to teenagers. I think they would be good for the public schools surrounding Tulsa and I know a lot of people that would volunteer to help out. NHS members could go help with the Yellow Ribbon and they could come to schools and give information and presentations about teen suicide.

Another good suicide prevention program is American Association of Suicidology. Their goal is to understand and prevent suicide by encouraging the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors, relating suicide information to the public, and promote research and training in suicidology. They turn their research into actual projects that take place such as the Rail Suicide Prevention Project, they have a radio show on Rail Suicide Prevention, and they also have a hotline.

As a teenager, I see how much hurt and pain goes on in the lives of highschoolers. When I went to a public school in 8th and 9th grade, almost everywhere I looked I saw people that were just desperate for love and attention. Most of their family home lives were rough, and tough situations. You couldn’t go too long without hearing of a teen suicide in the area. Then everyone around would talk about it for about a week and we would use the hashtag on Instagram and wear a color to represent the child, but then it disappears and everyone forgets about it. Nothing ever changes. Something that I think is really important if we are going to try to stop teenage suicide, is to put something in the schools to help those kids that need help. In every school there are kids that need special care and attention whether they are willing to admit it or not. If we could come up with some way to help them and inform them on things regarding suicide, and other things like that then that would probably make a huge difference. Whether that is a group that gets together with an adult or some one on one counseling, as long as all students are helped. We need to be showing God’s love to others. Training teenagers to reach out to those who are hurting, lonely, or hating themselves is important. Just random acts of kindness or including someone could save a life. These suicide prevention programs are doing a great job. They know and understand what needs to be done and are doing everything they can to change the world around them. However, it also starts with us; students who belong to the Lord and are slaves of righteousness – we should be our own suicide prevention program. We know that no love is greater than God’s, and He gives us purpose and value.Ecclesiastes 7:17 says, “Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” Psalm 34:17-20, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Romans 10:13, “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” From the perspective of sharing the Gospel – we go across the street; they go around the world. Everyone can do their part to reach out to others, encourage each other, and help to prevent teen suicide.

Works Cited

1. "Preventing Teen Suicide." -- Hazelden. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.
2. "Preventing Youth Suicide - Tips for Parents and Educators." Preventing Youth Suicide. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
3. "Suicide Prevention." : How to Help Someone Who Is Suicidal. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
4. "YellowRibbon.org - For the Prevention of Teen Suicide." YellowRibbon.org - For the Prevention of Teen Suicide. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.
5. "AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY Suicide Prevention Is Everyone's Business." National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.