Abstract A paper on teensuicides. The paper explores how drugs, violence, sex and even peer pressure contribute to this devastating crime. The paper also looks at what parents can do to help their children cope.
Abstract This paper focuses on the issue of teensuicide. The paper discusses the elements that are indicators of teensuicide for high risk groups. It further discusses programs that have been instituted throughout the United States for teensuicide, and the programs that are in place for intervention and prevention of teensuicide. It closes with a synopsis of the research.
From the Paper "Suicide in the United States is considered the second leading cause of death for adolescents between the ages of 15 to 24 (Vannatta, 1996, p.149). Studies indicate that in the past few years the instance of black male youths who attempt suicide, or accomplish suicide is growing. White male youths are the largest segment of the teen population to attempt or commit suicide, as the research indicates that 8.1% of white males ages 15-24 take their own lives each year (Satcher, 1999, p.200). Further research indicates that female teen attempts at suicide are half the rate of the male population, though females are more likely to be swayed toward suicidal thoughts quickly because of events in their lives (Satcher, 1999, p.201)."
Abstract This paper reviews the issues relating to teensuicide from both a statistical and causal viewpoint. Statistics focus on the national level as well as state and local levels for Idaho and Pocatello, respectively. The paper also recommends nursing intervention along the way through the development and implementation of appropriate programs and provides evaluation methods as well.
From the Paper "Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among American teens (Jenson, 2005; "Idaho fact," (n.d.); Bloch, 1999). It has been reported that between 15 - 22% of teens are affected by at least one form of mental illness (Puskar, Lamb & Tusaie-Mumford, 1997). In Idaho, the teen suicide rate is 135% of that for the rest of the nation ("Idaho suicide," (n.d). Suicide attempts are more common among females, averaging 60-63%, however suicide is actually carried out at a higher rate among males at a 4:1 ratio ("Idaho suicide," (n.d.); Leehey, 1986 and McCall & Land, 1994 as cited by Bloch, 1999). According to Bloch (1999), between 1950 and 1999, the rate of teen suicide has tripled. In 2000, the estimated costs experienced in Idaho due to suicide in those under 25 resulted in $3.77 million in direct costs and over $81 billion in anticipated lost earnings."
Abstract In this article, the writer first notes that suicide is a major public health problem for Americans and then presents the hypothesis that depression is one of the main factors causing youths to commit suicide. Next, the paper proposes the Youth Suicide Prevention Assistance Program (YSPAP) as a prevention method and then examines several aspects of this program. Taking into consideration the prediction that most of the teens studied are suffering from depression, the writer maintains that youths with a high suicidal rate exposed to the YSPAP are more likely to lower their risk of suicide, as compared to those teens at risk of suicide that are not exposed to the program.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Problem Statement
Hypothesis
Research Questions
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Methodology
Criteria
Recruitment
Intervention
From the Paper "According to a study by Yale University's, suicidal behavior is very complex. Figures indicate over ninety percent of the individuals who kill themselves suffer from depression, a diagnosable mental illness or substance abuse disorder. These conditions often co-occur. Some of the risk aspects connected to suicide consists of a previous suicide attempt. Another aspect is a history of mental disorders, mainly depression. There are also the issues associated with a family's history of child abuse. Another problem is impulsive and aggressive tendencies, which is an issue with children. Obstacles gaining access to mental health services, due to economical standings, cultural and religious beliefs or even stigma associated to mental health and substance abuse disorders, is a big issue, as well as inadequate health insurance coverage."
Abstract Suicide is perhaps the most tragic and traumatic type of death that can occur in any family or community. When committed by a teenager who has not yet lived the greater part of his/her life, the act seems all the more shocking. It is, therefore, most disturbing to note that, while the general suicide rate in the US has declined in the last 25 years, it has tripled among the adolescents in the same period and is now the second-most common cause of death of teenagers. This paper examines various aspects of adolescent suicides, including the profile of a likely suicide candidate, major causes of teensuicide, and some ways of preventing it.
From the Paper "Suicide is now one of the leading causes of death among American teenagers ahead of cancer, heart disease, AIDS, lung disease, and birth defects combined. Certain sub-groups among teenaged Americans are more vulnerable than others. For example, three times as many teenaged girls attempt suicide as boys. However, the single most likely candidate for "successful" suicide is the white teenaged boy. This is because boys use more lethal methods for suicide such as firearms and hanging while taking sleeping pills (which has a higher survival rate) is the preferred suicide method among girls. It is also possible that psychologically, the girls in particular, are crying out for help while attempting suicide and could be secretly hoping to be rescued. Most recent researches have reported consistently higher rates of suicides and attempted suicides among the gays and homosexuals?one report finds that rates of serious attempted suicides among homosexual youths are 4 times higher. The suicide rate for black youth (previously considered to be less likely to commit suicide) has also risen sharply in recent years."
Abstract This paper researches the causes of teenage suicides. Terming suicide as one of the leading causes of death and an important public health problem worldwide, the author presents statistics for the prevalence of suicides worldwide and amongst teenagers. The paper discusses the causes of teensuicide according to three perspectives: the sociological perspective, the psychological perspective and the biological/medical perspective. From these perspectives, the author draws and tests hypotheses with a survey conducted among 34 random students. The paper explains the results of the hypotheses but warns that the survey was conducted in Malaysia and as such, the hypotheses that did not concur with the participants' opinion were probably due to different values compared to that of Western society. In closing, the author also provides recommendations to the problem of teenage suicide via suicide intervention programs. This paper includes tables, graphs and charts.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Prevalence of Suicide Worldwide and Among Teenagers
Causes and Hypotheses
Survey Results
Solutions
Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix
From the Paper "Yet another, more personal reason for choosing this topic for my research paper was my own personal experience with suicide ideation and parasuicide a year and a half ago. Ever since I began secondary school, I had dreamed of being accepted into an Ivy League university in the United States, and right up until I completed my International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, I worked hard in order to achieve my dream. However, in May 2006, as the decision letters from universities flowed in day by day, I experienced extreme disappointment. I was waitlisted at all six of the colleges I applied to - including Harvard, Yale and Columbia - before eventually being rejected from all six of them."
Abstract The recent spate of school shootings has focused attention on violent behavior among teenagers. However, little attention has been given to another insidious and more common form of violence among young people -- the rise in teenagers committing suicide. This paper looks at the silent epidemic of teensuicide and the role schools could play in addressing this issue. The first part of the paper is an overview of teensuicide, looking at the scope of the problem and main causes of suicide among young people. In the second part, the paper looks at the changing role schools have played in preventing suicide and examines the current suicide prevention programs in place. Finally, the paper studies the barriers that stand in the way of such programs and suggests solutions to the problems.
From the Paper "The advent of two-income households and single parent families has changed the role schools play in the lives of young people. After all, many adolescents spend at least one-third of the day in school, or more for those involved in extra-curricular activities (King, 132). This has led to a broader definition of the term in loco parentis, the principle of temporary parental power originally conferred by Roman citizens on their children's Greek teachers. In the United States, writes Portner, this power to discipline students also carried a corresponding responsibility to keep children from harm. (Portner, ?Suicide,?)."
From the Paper "A number of old people might wish they could be young again; however, being a young person today is not as easy as they assume. Young people have to cope with tons of pressure and troubles as well as adults do. In fact, there have been many teenagers who couldn?t handle life and killed themselves. 'Five thousand teens successfully kill themselves each year, about one every 90 minutes."
This paper is a literature review, which investigates the experience of homosexual students in the public school system and what is taught in the public schools about homosexuality.
Abstract This paper reports that homosexual teens have a great deal more to deal with than do their heterosexual peers, which is due in part to the way they are treated at school. The author points out that homosexual teens are more likely to drop out of high school, to suffer from depression and to commit suicide. The paper stresses that the treatment of homosexual students in the school setting can be changed by initiating teaching programs to educate teachers and students concerning the issues of homosexuality, especially problems of self- esteem.
Table of Contents:
Topic Proposal
Research Questions
Rationale
Literature Review
Challenges Gay Students Face in the School Setting
How Gay Students Cope in the School Setting
Education and Other School Resources
Curriculum
School Programs that have Found Success
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "In addition to physical harassment, many studies have also found that many homosexual teens are victims of verbal abuse in the school setting. For instance, an early study conducted by Remafedi's (1987) found that 55% of the gay and bisexual male teens reported regular verbal harassment from peers. In studies conducted in the late nineties, researchers found that the majority of homosexual and bisexual participants were harassed by peers using words such as faggot and dyke at least once a day at school. These participants also reported that teachers referred to them using such language as faggot and dyke on a monthly basis."
Abstract This paper explains that grief counseling in schools has grown as a discipline in response to teensuicides, natural disasters, bombings, and shootings. The author points out that trauma experts handle the immediate aftershocks of disaster, and, once they leave, grief counselors take over to provide longer-term help for those who have suffered a loss. This paper concludes that, with schoolsuicides and other traumatic events on the increase, school officials have to be aware of these possibilities and try to provide for them in their planning.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Teenage Suicide Grief Counseling
Approaches to Grief
Conclusion
From the Paper "While bereavement is the state of having lost a significant other to death, grief is the personal response to the loss and mourning is the public expression of that loss. Bereavement is an intensely demanding, multidimensional adaptive process and so should be seen as both an opportunity for significant personal growth and a vector of disease when its mental and physical health consequences are considered. Some one third of all bereaved people incur problems for which professional assistance is indicated, and among the problems encountered are increased use of tobacco, alcohol, sedatives, and anxiolytics by the bereaved. Depression syndromes are seen in nearly one half of all grieving people, while 10 percent suffer major depression. Also possible is health deterioration lasting 13 months or longer, including increased physical symptoms and illness, severe depressive mood, and increased health services utilization and hospitalization; this is seen in 15 to 25 percent of the widowed."
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the problem of teensuicide. The paper researches the problem and submits a detailed proposal that offers a better plan for lessening or remedying the problem. The paper contends that teenage suicide is rapidly becoming one of the biggest problems facing teens today. The paper explains that schools, families, friends, and professionals must learn to recognized the early symptoms of potential suicide in order to act on them as quickly as possible.
From the Paper "Suicide by teenagers is a social problem facing the nation. Families all over the country are coping with depressed and angry children, and turning to the schools and social service agencies for help and understanding. One writer called teen suicide, "an emotional cancer at the heart of our 'successful society,' but it has remained, for the most part, a hidden silent crisis" (Portner, 2001, pg. vii-viii). Much research has shown the problem affects boys more than girls and those with ethnic backgrounds even more so. However, girls tend to "attempt" suicide more often than boys do. The problem exists for a number of reasons. Most teens who commit suicide have some form of mental problem or diagnosis, and many are depressed or hopeless (Davis, 1999, pg. 119). Thus, it seems all teens are at risk at one time or another, and so, society must work harder to discover the signs of suicide in teens, and help teens with their problems before they reach suicide levels."
Abstract While the causes and symptoms associated with depression and teen violence are well known, doctors and researchers have yet to develop and implement a clear, uniform, tried and proven method that would eliminate and/or prevent depression and teen violence. The paper relates that one of the primary reasons depression and teen violence is extremely difficult to eliminate and/or prevent is that while depression and teen violence are often intertwined, individuals who suffer from depression may not exhibit symptoms of depression or violent tendencies until it is too late, i.e., until an unexpected, violent school shooting occurs. This paper analyzes and examines the multitude of issues related to depression and teen violence. Part II outlines the causes and symptoms associated with depression. In Part III, the relationship between depression and teen violence is explored. Finally, this paper concludes with recommendations eliminating and/or reducing depression and teen violence.
From the Paper "Teen violence takes many forms, including assaults with or without weapons, emotional and physical bullying, gang violence, physical fights, school shootings, suicide, and threatening remarks. While teen violence has always been a problem in the United States, the number of deaths and serious injuries increased dramatically during the late 1980's and early 1990?s, as more and more teens began carrying guns, knives, and other weapons. However, in recent years, fewer teens are carrying weapons, teen murder arrests have dropped by almost 60%, and the arrest rate for violent crimes is down 36% from its peak in 1994. In order to fully understand the nature and extent of teen violence, it is crucial to examine facts and statistics regarding the issue."
Abstract This paper summarizes the article by Toni Terling, "Private Schools are not Emotional Havens for Teens", which states that while private schools do show a higher level of achievement, for example, they also show increased risk of suicide and weapon use, among other negative outcomes. The author then goes on to discuss his personal reaction to the article's finding and how it relates to his experiences in the American school systems.
Outline:
Article Summary
Response to Article
How This Relates to My Own Personal Experiences
Insights the Article Adds to My Experience
Works Cited
From the Paper "Alternatively, the many friends I had that attended private school had an overwhelmingly more positive experience than I encountered in public school. If a student became depressed or violent in their private school, the issue was noticed immediately due to the small setting and was taken care of swiftly. Of course, cliques, being a product of human nature, existed on a smaller scale in my friends' schools, however, these cliques were less cohesive. This appears to be because the small setting gave everyone the feeling of belonging to the same big group, which allowed them to avoid splintering into smaller ones as is common in the larger public school environment."
Tags: achievement risk policy marginalized, school size
A study proposal to examine the hypothesis that the provision of violence and substance abuse education and conflict resolution should reduce teen relationship violence.
Abstract This paper looks at how teenage relationship violence is due to factors in their environment, lack of education and support networks. It examines the thesis that increased interventions within schools, youth and community centers should reduce teen violence in relationships, and increase knowledge about what constructs an abusive relationship. It proposes a study whose aim is to give teens vital information about abusive behavior within relationship and to provide information to parents, teachers, caregivers, administrative staff members and friends of peers about what to do if they believe a child may be in an abusive relationship.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Hypotheses
Research Questions
The Study Rationale
The Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
The Research Methodology
Design
Inclusion Criteria
Sampling Recruitement of Subject
Intervention
Statical Analysis
From the Paper "The most common types of abuse amongst teens are emotional, verbal, as well as physical. Emotional and verbal abuse is manifested through name calling, bullying, teasing, threats and keeping them away from family members. Whereas, physical abuse takes on a more aggressive bodily harm such as hitting, shoving, grabbing, kicking or punching and sexual abuse or rape. (CDC, 2006). Each case may involve a multitude of warning signs visible to parents, friends and teachers of the occurring abuse within the teen's relationship. These warning signs include explained injuries, a dramatic drop in the child's grades, extreme mood swings, difficulty sleeping, isolation, drug and alcohol usage, eating disorders, depression, unwanted pregnancies and suicide attempts. "
Abstract This paper begins with a personal interpretation of the song "Jeremy", sung by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. It explains the musical and vocal techniques used by Vedder to get across his message about the alarmingly high incidence of teensuicide in America. The paper refers to an original newspaper article that describes what inspired Vedder to write the song.
From the Paper "Vedder starts off by just saying (de-emphasizing) the words, and his voice sounds very smooth and refined. However the next line, "and the dead lay in pools of maroon below", is emphasized with a lot of build up in the voice. The build up results in the explosion of Vedder's voice with emotions which are very powerful and dramatic, at some parts even full of rage and hatred. Vedder seems to place the biggest emphasis on "but we unleashed a lion" to state how angry Jeremy was and to justify Jeremy's actions. At the climax of the song, where Vedder doesn?t really sing but just makes noises, his voice flows perfectly. This technique not only adds sad feelings to the context of the song, but also gives the listener time to arrive at his or her own conclusion about the song."
