Hal Marcovitz - Teens & Suicide

Teens & Alcohol

Teens & Career Choices

Teens & Cheating

Teens & Family Issues

Teens, Health, & Obesity

Teens & LGBT Issues

Teens & the Media

Teens & Race

Teens & Relationships

Teens, Religion, & Values

Teens & Sex

Teens & Suicide

Teens & the Supernatural/Paranormal

Teens & Volunteerism

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2014 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc.

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First printing
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Marcovitz, Hal.

Teens and suicide / Hal Marcovitz.

pages cm. (The Gallup youth survey : major issues and trends)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Audience: Grade 7 to 8.

ISBN 978-1-4222-2958-3 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4222-2995-8 (pb)
ISBN 978-1-4222-8875-7 (ebook)

1. TeenagersSuicidal behaviorJuvenile literature. 2. SuicideJuvenile literature. 3. Depression in adolescenceUnited StatesJuvenile literature. I. Title.

HV6546.M35 2014

362.2808350973dc23

2013007181

The Gallup Youth Survey: Major Issues and Trends series ISBN: 978-1-4222-2948-4

Contents

By

A s the United States moves into the new century, there is a vital need for insight into what it means to be a young person in America. Todays teenagers will be the leaders and shapers of the 21st century. The future direction of the United States is being determined now in their hearts and minds and actions. Yet how much do we as a society know about this important segment of the U.S. populace who have the potential to lift our nation to new levels of achievement and social health?

We need to hear the voices of young people, and to help them better articulate their fears and their hopes. Our youth have much to share with their eldersis the older generation really listening? Is it carefully monitoring the hopes and fears of teenagers today? Failure to do so could result in severe social consequences.

The Gallup Youth Survey was conducted between 1977 and 2006 to help society meet this responsibility to youth, as well as to inform and guide our leaders by probing the social and economic attitudes and behaviors of young people. With theories abounding about the views, lifestyles, and values of adolescents, the Gallup Youth Survey, through regular scientific measurements of teens themselves, served as a sort of reality check.

Surveys reveal that the image of teens in the United States today is a negative one. Teens are frequently maligned, misunderstood, or simply ignored by their elders. Yet over four decades the Gallup Youth Survey provided ample evidence of the very special qualities of the nations youngsters. In fact, if our society is less racist, less sexist, less polluted, and more peace loving, we can in considerable measure thank our young people, who have been on the leading edge on these issues. And the younger generation is not geared to greed: survey after survey has shown that teens have a keen interest in helping those people, especially in their own communities, who are less fortunate than themselves

Young people have told Gallup that they are enthusiastic about helping others, and are willing to work for world peace and a healthy world. They feel positive about their schools and even more positive about their teachers. A large majority of American teenagers have reported that they are happy and excited about the future, feel very close to their families, are likely to marry, want to have children, are satisfied with their personal lives, and desire to reach the top of their chosen careers.

But young adults face many threats, so parents, guardians, and concerned adults must commit themselves to do everything possible to help tomorrows parents, citizens, and leaders avoid or overcome risky behaviors so that they can move into the future with greater hope and understanding.

The Gallup Organization is enthusiastic about this partnership with Mason Crest Publishers. Through carefully and clearly written books on a variety of vital topics dealing with teens, Gallup Youth Survey statistics are presented in a way that gives new depth and meaning to the data. The focus of these books is a practical oneto provide readers with the statistics and solid information that they need to understand and to deal with each important topic.

Teen suicide is a growing problem in the United States. As many as one-fifth of teens today have considered or attempted suicide. Tragically, thousands of U.S. teens actually commit suicide each year.

Parents who have experienced a childs suicide may remain haunted by questions about why a child took his or her life, and if there was something that could have been done to prevent it. This book, I believe, will bring about a new level of understanding of this unsettling issue. In both adults and teens, suicide often results from overwhelming feelings of rejection, abandonment, fear, or a sense of loss. Parents need to take seriously teen despondence, because it can lead to suicide.

A healthy family habit would be for parents to set aside a little time each dayperhaps at dinner or bedtimeand ask their children, How did things go today? Parents should then then listen carefully, and follow the discussion with a hug and the words, I love you. Parents could also include a time of family prayer, or a reminder to their children that they are also loved by God.

For some teens, pressure from friends and the uncertainty of adolescence can become too much, leading to depression and, in some cases, suicide. In 2011, according to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15.8 percent of American high school students had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months.

Rock Bottom

E veryone who knew David Hurcombe believed the boy had a bright future ahead. The 17-year-old was going to school to become an electrician. He had plenty of friends, enjoyed parties, and loved music. He was inquisitive and interested in the meaning of life, said Davids friend Michael Carroll. He was fascinated with computer and electrical projects.

But David had a dark and troubled side as well. One day in October David climbed a concrete wall that separated the platform from the tracks at a commuter train station near his home. When a train emerged from the tunnel, David Hurcombe jumped in front of it and was killed instantly.