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Adolescent Suicide

During the last decade there has been a growing concern about youth suicide.  This concern arose from evidence of increasing rates of youth suicide in many societies during the 1980s and 1990s.   Currently, suicide is the second leading cause of death among American and Canadian youths (National Centre for Health Statistics, 2002).  This increase in the suicide rate has lead to growing research into the prevalence of suicidal behaviour; suicidal ideation and attempts in young people, in an endeavour to implement effective prevention strategies and treatment plans.  Suicide is the act of destroying oneself completely.  Like AIDS, it is no respecter of persons; it affects humanity regardless of race, colour, class or creed.  According to Human Development Psychologists, Berk, 2006, pg 458, suicide rate increases over the lifespan.  It is lowest in childhood and highest in old age, but it spurts sharply at adolescence. 

The critical period associated with turbulence – of special anxiety and frustration that can trigger impulsive acts including suicide.  In the 19th century, psychologist G. Standley Hall described adolescence as a time of “Sturm und Drang” -“storm and stress” (Griggin, 2001).    During this period the adolescents are forced to deal with several physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes.  These challenges can put the adolescents at risk of attempting and committing suicide if according to Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the adolescents have not yet developed the skills needed in this formal operational stage to problem solve effectively.  Nevertheless, the main focus on academics and physical programmes by the authorities responsible for youth development in many societies has led to neglect of youth’s emotional wellbeing.  Hence, the implementation of prevention strategies and treatment plans for adolescents at risk of attempting and committing suicide is of paramount importance.

The focus on academics and physical programmes is evident in the many campaigns being held on education reform – the emphasis being placed on high performances in examinations at all levels, and the competition encouraged among youths for scholarships to pursue higher education.  Such scholarships are also awarded to youths who are qualified in the physical areas as well.  Thus, there is also great emphasis on sports and athletics.  In many schools and communities, there are various sports clubs, whose major focus is on competitions, both at local and regional levels.  The campaigns on education reform also convey the notion that the means of poverty eradication is education.  In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves continually advocates the importance of education at all levels; hence, it is his hope to see at least one person in every household in that country obtain at least an undergraduate degree (U.L.P. Manifesto, 2005 Election).  While all of this is good, it can also have negative impacts on some adolescents as they strive to meet the required standards set for them by their parents, guardians and leaders.  As they try to find their own identity and fit in with their peers, which according to Erik Erikson (1963) is a stage of development characterised by “ego identity versus role diffusion”.  Hence, focus also needs to be placed on the adolescents’ emotional wellbeing, applying a holistic approach to their development.

In order for adolescents to lead successful lives they must be able to effectively cope with the challenges that life throws at them.  It is important to note that not all adolescents possess the ability to cope effectively, both Erikson and Piaget in their theories of development claimed all adolescents do not develop at the same rate.  Erikson also claimed that the adolescents who do not develop identity may experience role diffusion and subject themselves to unhealthy behaviours (Rathus, 2004, pg 116).  Thus, many adolescents are at risk of committing and attempting suicide as a way of escape.  As a result, it is not sufficient to focus mainly on academics and physical programmes to aid adolescents’ development.  It is equally important to attend to their emotional needs.  In doing this, the implementation of prevention strategies and treatment plans for at- risk adolescents is very important.  These may include crisis support services for adolescent and their families, both in schools and youth centres; educational programmes and youth activities. 

All schools should have available counselling services with trained and experienced personnel during school hour for students who are disturbed.  It would also be good if teachers are trained to identify the youths who are having difficulties coping with the stresses of adolescence, and assess students’ behavioural patterns so they could make referrals to the appropriate counselling services when necessary.  This is done in schools in Columbia and claimed to be very effective according to a Columbian teacher, Paola Palma.  These services should also be made available to parents and guardians in an effort to empower them to effectively assist the adolescents through any crisis.  Dr. Beautrais in her article on suicide and attempted suicide in youth, published in the AM Journal of Psychiatry, June 2003, claimed that family connectedness is very important in adolescents’ suicide prevention and treatment as suicide is associated with isolation.  Family connectedness according to Dr. Beautrais gives the adolescents hope as they are assured that they are not alone in their crisis but their families are there to rally around them. 

Crisis support services in youth centres should also be made available with trained and experienced personnel.  These youth centres may include churches youth programs, communities youth programs and half-way houses. These services can aid in empowering the adolescents, thus taking some of the strain off the families.  It is important to note that adolescent suicide does not only affect the victim of it but also their significant others.  This fact Dr. Beautrais also strongly emphasised in the aforementioned article.   Therefore, while counselling services are made available for the families, it is good for them to also have the support of others so the families do not become frustrated in the event that treatment plans turns out to be longer than anticipated.  In addition, educational programmes to assist young people to discuss their feelings and to bolster their self-esteem are important in preventing and treating adolescent suicide.  These programmes can also involve parents and care givers of adolescents.  In these sessions, subjects such as conflict resolutions, anger management, and stress reduction strategies, just to name a few can be discussed.  They could also include activities as role-playing in an effort to involve the youths in their own progress so they do not become bored by merely lectures given to them.  This approach was claimed to be effective by Manning (2005).  Personally, as a volunteer in the Youth Empowerment Programme at Marion House in St. Vincent, I have seen the effectiveness of this approach.  It gives the adolescents a sense of confidence as they themselves are part of their own growth.

Youth activities such as sports, cultural activities and the performing arts can also aid in preventing adolescent suicide and as treatment plans.  The main objective of these activities is to get the young people out doors in an effort to distract them from focusing on the crisis at hand and encourage constructiveness.  Dr. Mahy, psychiatrist at the U.W.I. Students’ Health Services and Dr. Emmanuel, psychiatrist at the Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Bridgetown both claimed that it is very important to engage such adolescents in constructive activities in order to motivate them again to be active and to see that life can be enjoyed regardless of the challenges that come with it.  In addition, Rev. Billy Graham continually advocates sports evangelism and friendship evangelism in and effort to bring young people to Christ and to encourage the whole idea of accountability to one another, every one looking out for one another.  Thus, taking the strain off young people in crisis situations, knowing that there is always some one they can turn to for help.  This has been proven to have worked in many instances in many church youth programmes in St. Vincent.

The major difference in these activities in this context is the focus is shifted to one of socialisation rather than competition.  In such forum, the young people are given the opportunity to share with others and to express their likes and dislikes with out the threat of disappointing a team, a club or a leader.  This opportunity to be expressive without fear can boost there self-esteems and empower them to face life head on.

Adolescent suicide is not to be taken lightly as it is increasingly becoming a phenomenon.  Research has shown that the increase in adolescent suicide has given reasons for concern.  Therefore, the need for apt adolescent emotional and mental health care is of paramount importance in the course of adolescent development.  Such care can be implemented via effective prevention strategies and treatment plans such as the aforementioned.  These resources and activities can foster a greater understanding of the pathway that leads young people to take their lives.  This understanding is important in ensuring that prevention strategies and treatment plans delivery are as effective as possible.  Suicide is associated with social isolation, hence the reason for socialisation being included in the programmes mentioned for prevention and treatment of adolescent suicide.  Due to the fact that adolescent suicide does not only affect the adolescent but also their significant others, it is important to include these others in prevention and treatment.  Not only for the support of the adolescent but also for the individuals themselves.