1. Teen Concern: SUICIDE Out of 149 students (86 7 th graders and 63 8 th Graders), 23 students have considered suicide. By- -Joanna Arias -Christina Sophal -Lorraine Cisneros What causes suicide? Previous suicide attempts Depression Sexual or physical abuse Mental disorders Imprisonment Exposed to suicidal behavior Being a victim of bullying Signs of suicide- Hearing the person say that he or she wants to end his or her life or that he or she has no reason to live. Observing evidence that he or she is looking for means to commit suicide, such as buying a gun. Observing an increase in drug or alcohol abuse. Noticing that he or she is withdrawing from people. Noticing that he or she is displaying reckless behavior or quick agitation. Observing that he or she is giving away belongings. Most common age for suicide- The suicide rate among adults between the ages of 35 and 64 was 13.7 deaths per 100,000 Americans. By 2010, that rate climbed more than 28 percent to 17.6 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. The suicide rate for men ages 35 to 64 years old increased more than 27 percent, from 21.5 suicides per 100,000 people in 1999 to 27.3 in 2010. The greatest increases were among those aged 50-54 years and 55-59 years. The suicide rate for women rose more than 31 percent from 6.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 8.1 in 2010. Suicide rates increased with age, and the largest rate increase was observed among women aged 60-64 years -- nearly a 60 percent rise from 4.4 per 100,000 to 7.0 suicides per 100,000 people. Ways for suicide- Gun shot Drug overdose Hanging Poisoning Inhaling carbon monoxide Suffocation Jumping Wrist slitting Electrocution Drowning Freezing Reasons for suicide- Appearing to feel trapped or hopeless Appearing to have an abnormal preoccupation with violence, dying and/or death Being very moody Changing personality Changing routine Changing sleeping patterns Consuming (more) drugs Consuming more alcohol Giving stuff away Having depression Impaired concentration Increased self-criticism Isolating oneself Seeming to have severe remorse Talking about killing oneself, expressing regret about being alive or ever having been born. Statistics about men committing suicide- Suicide accounts for l in 100 deaths. The majority of those who die in this way are men. A worrying recent trend is the increasing rate of suicide among younger men. The suicide rate in men is also higher in older men (aged between 65 and 75 years) The higher suicide rate among men is a worldwide phenomenon. What gender mostly attempts to commit suicide? Men are now three times more likely than women to commit suicide. There were 4,590 suicides registered, compared with 1,391female. In 1981, the male suicide rate was 1.9 times higher than in women. Young men are no longer the group of society mostly at risk of suicide. Men aged 40-44 who are most at risk, perhaps because they feel their careers have been stalled by depression. Links for help Ways to prevent suicide- Make no deals. Never keep secret a friend's suicidal plans or thoughts. You can not promise that you will not tell you have to tell to save your friend! Tell an adult. Talk to your parent, your friend's parent, your school’s psychologist or counselor a trusted adult. And don’t wait! Do not be afraid to talk to your friends. Listen to their feelings. Make sure they know how important they are to you, but don’t believe you can keep them from hurting themselves on your own. Ask if your school has a crisis team. Many schools (elementary, middle and high schools) have organized crisis teams, which include teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists and principals.