Reflection 2

When I first stumbled upon the idea of teen suicide I thought it would be a breeze. I quickly found that most sites give you the basics in what you already know about suicide. To answer any of my questions I had to specifically type in key words on discus just to get close to an excellent site. After that I had to go into the pages that seemed high-quality and read them all word for word; but it didn’t stop there then I had to determine if the author was a reliable source—and that is merely the basic search process for all sources. Whenever I needed to find my sources I needed to find things that could help me in more than one way, as in answer more than one question. It was not a tough process it was solitary time consuming and it took a lot of work to add a scene of empathy to each and every post. The source by Jessica portner, Teen suicide: The Silent Epedimic, helped me the most and gave me a exceptional source of all kinds of usefull information that I did not know. Since all of my sources came from discus so for the most part everything was reliable. I think what made my blog easyer was the strong feelings I had for the topic which caused me to put my all into this blog and make it 100%.

Reflection 1

Teen suicide is a sensitive topic that countless of us are not familiar with; and, those things we do know are generally assumptions. I am surprised to discover that various times teens do not fathom that death is final, they often envision how much enhanced things will be after they are gone.  This is an appalling actuality to come to, however, it is one all to true. Bullying is a familiar and daunting cause of suicide; this, which has been known to be a huge problem in the United States, could be associated with a teens thought that “anything was better than the life they are living”. This in itself shows that suicide is more than a feeling, and it is this that has strengthen my connection, interest, and over all need to inform as many teens, parents, and adults alike to the crisis ahead. A common question is ‘why is it that teens do not go to their friends or relatives when they have the initial thoughts of suicide’?  The book Th1rteen R3asons Why brings a realistic and emotional feel to the whole situation of suicide, in the world and through the eyes of a suicidal teen, Hannah Baker.  We can hear her emotions, and, because we could only imagine the hurt a suicidal teen feels, we sense a great deal of pity for her. It is an eye opener and leads me to my other finding that, subjects as simple as the way someone was born can be targeted and picked at until, like a scab, it bleeds out. We must educate ourselves to find that suicide is not a joke and we should never em-place comedy to hide our ignorance.

The Media

   

     The media is often to blame for many youth misconceptions and issues with their reflection. We often believe we must look a specific way, act in a certain manner, and think like the “typical teen”. Well these and other images to maintain a look can become overwhelming and, cause a teenager major stress.  "Society is more expecting of girls to be better than boys to compete for jobs, schools, and honors, especially with the media, the 'homecoming queen' image, and constant pressures to get into the top universities," This is a common worry of many adolescence. (Burrell) “All teens feel sad or depressed sometimes--especially when the pressures of exams, relationships, and friends become too much to handle.” This is an oblivious statement that many of us can agree upon; but what others seldom understand how things can go from bad to worse in a blink of an eye, these sudden changes can cause pressure on a teen. So when did it even become okay to ridicule such a grim occurrence. (Arbetter) "You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything." This is true for the media as well. In “Th1rteen R3asons Why” Hannah shows how the media and everything around you affects not just one part of your life, but your whole life. She was so consumed in the way everyone saw—or didn’t see—her. She let herself fall into the crowd with people she never really liked just for the attention. Hannah wasn’t swayed by one thing; she was convinced 13 different times. (Th1rteen R3asons Why) Can you see anything funny about that, so why do the media have such cruel perception of those facing the decisions of their life?

Facts and Stats

Teens today do not take the time to really look at things for what they really are; we simply accept them to be what they will. Throughout the book, Hannah tells us the thirteen people who have influenced her life.  Her grounds were due to events such as rape, depression, a scene of invisibility, being picked on, and not having a stable relationship with anyone. Moreover, the most shocking detail was that Hannah was never certain what or why she was having these thoughts, or if she should go through with it. These types of thoughts can be piloted from a teen that longs for attention—the attention she may be lacking. She tried calling out to others for help, but was restrained by herself. No one saw the horror of what laid behind her eyes. Hannah may have been fabricated, but, she is the epitome of suicidal teens everywhere. (Th1rteen R3asons Why) To establish the circumstances that lead teen to suicide, I found that 16% of teen commit suicide due to parent or family problems, relationships accounted for 10% of suicides, 5% was shared between both runaways and abused teens, 3% was school related issues, pregnancy’s and matters on sexuality made up 8%, taking a whopping 30% depression stood as the event leading to most suicides, a less major 3% due to substance abuse, while all other proceedings take up 27%. (Lawrence) these statistics show that a good number of teens do not commit suicide for insignificant reasons such as, breakups or bad grade (this is not to say that it does not happen). To justify the data, a mass of these cases are associated with things outside the teens control such as family problems, bullies, sexuality and much more. The intellect of a suicidal teen is a maze of despair filled only by the dark mist of loneliness. In asking who is more likely to commit suicide, the white male ratio still surpasses that of any other group. Girls are three times likely to attempt suicide; as an effort to convey their scenes of loneliness. While boys take issues into their own hands and, go through with suicide. As for assumptions such as: suicidal teens sit beneath the stair case, wear long black trench coats, and listen to heavy metal music; this is not the case. Signs of suicide are rarely this blunt and extreme.  (Jessica Portner).  We must look beyond what we see to find the truth behind suicide—a seven letter synonym for plague.

An unstable household can lead to a suicidal child; children need stability.
   check out meagan's blog for more information

Suicide can be a result from bullying 
    check out Riley's blog for more information

Epidemic of the Ages

Teenage suicide is a prevalent and catastrophic incident throughout the world. It is a completely preventable occurrence that should be educated to perpetuate our teens. To most—as long as suicide does not occur in a public place with witnesses they can quarrel it was an accident. This, as Jay Asher states in his book Th1rteen R3asons Why, is because no parent wishes for everyone to believe— or to believe themselves— that they raised a child who took their own life. We are often oblivious as to what the people around us everyday are going through. It is becoming harder and harder to tell a suicidal teen from one acting out of rage, rebellion, or going through a “phase”. “At the end of class Mrs. Bradley passed out a flyer called The Warning Signs of a Suicidal Individual. Guess what was right up there in the top five? “A sudden change in appearance.” I tugged at the ends of my newly chopped hair. Huh. Who knew I was so predictable?” (Th1rteen R3asons Why) This statement shows how “time and time again” we do not notice the signs right in front of us. "Where it used to be your grandfather, now it's your son," said Tom Simon (Jessica Portner). The numbers and the rates for suicide are increasing dramatically. This shows that there is amplification in the figures and, if we do not stop this plague as soon as possible it can lead to a defunct future.  Depression is beyond felling sad; it is an everyday feeling that consumes you in loneliness. It hurts you physically and mentally; and, it feels like your being swallowed by a dark cloud only you cannot scream out to anyone because all your energy, life, your emotions have been drained like vapors in a cloud. Sooner or later you just do not care anymore, you try to reach out for help but, your just so tired—and not physically tired—just tired of everything. This feeling of being dilapidated is the one that pilots most sufferers to suicide. You soon become weary of eating, shattered of talking, drained of smiling, and soon done with living. Depression is something the majority of us cannot comprehend, unless we feel it for first-hand. (Sandra Arbetter).

100 things to do besides suicide

1. Take a walk
2. Sing
3. Listen to music
4. Draw a picture
5. Jump around your house
6. Act like a bunny
7. Bark at a dog
8. Read a book
9. Let the bog bark at you
10. Read this list
11. Do yoga
12. Pretend to do your homework
13. Call your friend
14. Yell out the window
15. Take a bath/shower
16. Paint your nails
17. Eat some chicken
18. Touch your toes
19. Spin around in circles
20. So a cartwheel
21. Dance crazy
22. Paint a picture
23. Clean your room
24. Pretend your a cowboy
25. Learn all the state capitals
26. Read my blog
27. Draw faces on your fingers
28. Draw twenty different smiley faces
29. Watch a movie
30. See how long you can be quiet
31. Try to say the letter 'n' without touching the roof of your mouth (no holding your tongue)
32. Think of a positive (and you cannot skip this one)
33. Blink forty eight times
34. Rub your tummy and pat your head
35. Try to smile at one person for no reason
36. Think of things to rhyme with orange and purple
37. Find twelve things around you that start with 'L'
38. Play an instrument
39. Make a list of things you have to do tomorrow
40. Look up at the sky
41. Make a goal
42. Write a letter to yourself
43. Answer a riddle
    -Davids dad has three kids: snap, pop and________
    -I grow shorter the older I get, what am I?
    -A man came into town on Friday stayed three days and left on Wednesday, how is this?
    - Out of 10 fish, 6 drown. how many fish do you have left
    -A man is driving in a black car down a black road with no headlights nor street lights. In the middle of the road is a black dog. The man stops and goes around the dog, how did he see it. (It is not that he had good eye sight)
44. Eat some ice cream
45. Go to sleep
46. Do your hair
47. Ride a dirt bike
48. Play with Lego's
49. Make a sand castle
50. Ride a four wheeler
51. Skate
52. Skateboard
53. Ride a half pipe
54. Go to the beach
55. Go to a pool
56. Bead a necklace
57. Write a poem
58. Make a hand turkey
59. Try to blow a bubble inside of a bubble (with gum)
60. Color a picture
61. Read a child's book
62. Snuggle with a blanket
63. Make some Kool-Aid
64. Make cookies
65. Bake brownies
66. Make some macaroni and cheese
67. Pajama party
68. Sit with your family and have a popcorn movie night
69. Think of fourteen types of flowers
70. get a manicure and/or a pedicure
71. Throw water balloons at your mom
72. Tell yourself your awesome
73. Read 5 novels
74. Re-read this list
75. Make your own list
76. Watch every T.V. show starting from channel 1
77. Buy a pet
78. Brush your teeth
79. Find 5 different types of coins
80. Look at your uvula
81. Tell your someone you love them
82. Text your favorite relative
83. Write a letter to Charlie Sheen
84. Get a fake tattoo
85. Impersonate forest Gump
86. Walk on all fours
87. Balance 10 books on your head
88. Do a back-flip
89. Go around the world with a friend
90. Touch your elbow with your tongue
91. Do a handstand with your legs
92. Play hide and go seek in Walmart
93. JUST DO KILL YOURSELF!!
94. Jump rope
95. watch the underdog
96. Buy a red cape
97.Whip your hair back and forth
98. Go to school
99. Make yourself smile
100. Laugh 

Remember that someone loves you 

Answers to the riddle: 1. David, because DAVID'S dad has three kids 2. A candle, because the more you burn a candle the smaller it gets 3. The horse the man was riding was named Friday 4. All of them because fish do not drown 5. It was day time

(Things to do # 71-100 were done by Deantre R. Campbell)

"What Should I Do"

Have you ever heard someone say that people who talk about suicide won't actually go through with it? That's a myth--people who talk about it may be likely to try it. If you have a friend who is talking about suicide, don't wait to see if he'll start to feel better. Warning signs such as talking about suicide should be taken very seriously. Other warning signs include:

     • Self-destructive behavior, such as taking drugs
     • Talking about death
     • Withdrawal from family and friends
     • Changes in appearance or eating or sleeping habits
     • A lack of interest in favorite activities
     • Giving away favorite possessions
     • Talking about feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless

     The important thing is that you notify a responsible adult. Although it may be tempting to try to help your friend on your own, that may not be possible, and the delay in getting an adult's help could be risky to your friend's well-being.
                                          

KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS. My Friend Is Talking About Suicide. What Should I Do? 28 February 2002. 8 march 2011 <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com.wf2dnvr6.webfeat.org/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000151428>.

    Most of use do not know how to deal with a suicidal friend. We may not see the warning signs or take them seriously, and this is why the epidemic is raising at dangerous rate. We all want to help someone we care about but, often times we just cannot do it on our own. You can help them by getting an adult rather than taking it upon yourself.

"Supergirl Epidemic"

Families need to...Teach critical thinking before the teen years by discussing media messages: Do girls really look like that? Why are there so many makeover shows and what message does that send?

This article shows the affect the media can have on a teens decision with suicide. The constant shows on outer beauty and the snob appeal of celebrities everywhere. We need to educate out teens more on the true beauty on the inside and that no one is perfect. We need to show them acceptance for themselves, and demonstrate how they should look at themselves. The media has created false and harsh perceptions for years and is only getting worse. In some retrospect the media is like a bully in itself.

Available http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.photosforsouls.com/tears.jpg , 18 march 2011

This is an image to show the hurt that can be left on a teen. This is a caption of the things we never witness, and a reminder of the marks we cannot see. These are the eyes of everyone forgotten, hurting, and left to suffer. These tears represent the makeup teen suicide wears to cover up its ugly face. The image is filled with an emotional attachment to make you feel like she does; you sympathize with the girl. The colors are dark with a light glow around the model. The lashes around eyes are wet from a long period of crying. The most heart breaking part is we have no idea what caused her to tear. It could have been anything from a sudden death to a bad grade. The eyes show she had been crying for sometime before so we have to imagine that it was something serious. The eyes may be the gateway to soul but tears are silent screams of the heart.



Alone

Available http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hersbandandwife.com/ ,18  march 2011

The image above shows a mood familiar to those facing suicidal thoughts; lonesomeness and seclusion. The girl is alone enclosed tightly, crumpled in her own arms; she appears to be hiding her face; maybe, covering her tears, blotting her silent cries. She is dressed in black-shorts and tank: a night gown maybe-the black and white picture has a gray contrast to illustrate its dark persona. The picture gives off an overall cold and depressing feel to signify that of suicide.

Its all in the wrist

Available http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cuppatea.org/rememberkids.jpg , 17 march 2011

The image above demonstrates one of the numerous horrifying snapshots of the insensitivity publicized towards those facing suicidal thoughts. It states “Remember kids, it’s ‘down the road’ not ‘across the street’, make it count!” The caption is referring to those who may cut themselves. To effectively “get the job done” making a cut down the arm would gash the vein in half, leading to death. This is something that should never be attempted and by no means be encouraged.

Th1rteen R3asons Why

Available http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com , 17 march 2011

Th1rteen R3asons Why: Jay Asher
Asher, Jay. "Th1rteen R3ason Why." Asher, Jay. Th1rteen R3asons Why. New york NY: razOr bill, 2009

"I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why." 

"but whatever the reason, it felt surreal. Two people-me and him-one house. Yet he drove away with no idea of his link to me, the girl on the sidewalk. And for some reason, at that moment, the air felt heavy. Filled with loneliness. And that loneliness stayed with me through the rest of the night.

Even the best moments of the night were affected by that one incident-by that nonincident-in front of my old house. His lack of interest in me was a reminder. Even though I had a history in that house, it didn't matter. You can't go back to how things were. How you thought they were.
All you really have...is now"

Myesha Edwards, my synopsis: In the best seller "Th1rteen R3asons Why", Hannah Barker composed a sum of seven cassettes, with thirteen sides, that clarified her motivation in committing suicide. Each cassette included an account of each person who participated in her conclusion. This book helps enlighten the beliefs of the teens fighting thoughts of suicide. The signs may, or may not, be as obscured as Hannah's were; moreover, they might leave a stain on everyone who played a role, and those who were close to her.                                                                                                          

Words Like Bullets

Available http://www.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/ ,17 March 2011

The image above signifies suicide in a blunt and brutal state. The image is in dark colors of black to symbolize death and anguish. The subheading below the picture is a harsh and atrocious one. It states “Suicide: because the world is better off without you.” This is not only ghastly; it is the type of simple-minded hate that causes our teens to envision such horrors.  It is exactly this that proves my preconception of the magnitude in suicide awareness.

School Suicides

 Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic


 "Where it used to be your grandfather, now it's your son," said Tom Simon, a suicide researcher at the CDC.       
   
 "Teen suicide" By Myesha Edwards. The rate of suicide in adults may have declined, but in teens the rates are three times their original number due to a number of factors. (The numbers have changed form 3.6/100,000 to 11.1/100,000 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.) To the one teenager to go through with suicide, 100 more will try; a federally funded Youth Risk Survey found that one out of every thirteen high school students will attempt suicide, that is two out an average twenty six student class.what we seeing is that we are not getting anywhere good with the rates of suicide, we are higher than ever only now in teens--as Tom Simon stated.

Portner, Jessica. Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic. 12 April 2000. 15 March 2011 <http://sks.sirs.com.wf2dnvr6.webfeat.org/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SSC1027-0-9309&artno=0000116560&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Teen%20Suicide%3A%20The%20Silent%20Epidemic%2D%2DPart%201&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=N>.

Tamara. Isolated and Forgotten. 17 march 2011 <http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/death/poetry.asp?poem=19355>.

My Sources

Arbetter, Sandra. Depression: Way Beyond The Blues. 16 March 2011 http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com.wf2dnvr15.webfeat.org/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000025032.
This article gives a good example of the signs of a suicidal teen. It is a brief summary of what to look out for in teens and how to read into the signs of suicide. It gives facts and information of the Suicide, shootings and other suicide attempts in other locations. It also gave many stories to back up and emphasize the point.

Portner, Jessica. Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic. 12 April 2000. 15 March 2011 http://sks.sirs.com.wf2dnvr6.webfeat.org/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SSC1027-0-9309&artno=0000116560&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Teen%20Suicide%3A%20The%20Silent%20Epidemic%2D%2DPart%201&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=N.

This paper tells me a lot about the main causes of suicide among teens. It also includes a list of which genders and races are more likely to go through with suicide and which methods are commonly used. It highlights bulling and school setting while giving examples such as the columbine high shooting. This is a good source with proven facts, surveys, and experiments to go along with each.

Asher, Jay. "Th1rteen R3ason Why." Asher, Jay. Th1rteen R3asons Why. New york NY: razOr bill, 2009.

This book shows Hannah before her death and tells why she committed suicide. Her reasons were in numbers with her not being able to find herself, her stalker, being invisible, and so many more of her other things. This book is one everyone should read. It shows you that you cannot see suicide, it can hide on the most unlikely people.

KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS. My Friend Is Talking About Suicide. What Should I Do? 28 February 2002. 8 march 2011 http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com.wf2dnvr6.webfeat.org/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000151428.

This source give facts on depression in an easy and manageable state. It gives you everything on depression: from the signs, causes, how to help manage, beating it, who to talk to, who is more likely, facts,  and living with depression. It helped to give me a good amount of background knowledge knowing that depression is one of the leading causes of suicide.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Fill Me In

    There are still things I am not sure about relating to my topic. Things such as what is the percentage of male to female suicides? Does the amount of attempts failed connect to the method used? Do we have increasing or decreasing number of suicides due to the involvement of support groups? These questions help me assemble a concrete background for my subject. By knowing the radicals of each gender I know how to appeal to both; by knowing which endeavors were unsuccessful I can discover  why this occurred; plus, by discovering whether support group involvement helps or hurts the situation I can conclude what hotline will do for the situation. I also think about things such as, what kind of effect do the media have on a teen. I want to learn more about the effects a teens home lives, drug use, background, and social lives have on their risk for suicidal attempts or tendencies. I can take it a step further and see if race has any effect on the numbers. I hope to learn as much as I can on the subject to make me an erudite source with a fathom for the topic.

facts from the expert

Teens can use suicide as an “escape” from their problems. It is a chronic epidemic that can occur in a number of ways. It is not as frequent to see a teen hang themselves but it does happen. Hanging, though dramatic, is also a form used mostly, not always, by teens wanting a dramatic and quick ways out.  It was more common years ago; but, in this ever changing society new methods form every day. Then you have the other dramatic forms such as “jumpers” and suffocation.  Overdosing is a common form of suicide for teen wanting to find the “least painful” way out. It can be from over the counter medicines, drugs, alcohol, cleaning products and so many other things; with this goes along poisoning. Guns and knives are also used to aid in suicide processes. It is more often to see males using gunshots to the head as a form of suicide. Cutting and stabbing is also used but has changed into the form of using razor blades. The group of teens who chose to cut themselves is often labeled as emo; this is a stereotype. Then, you have people who use starvation, exhaustion, or self abuse. This takes longer to result in death but can happen as a result in; anorexia, or self starvation; overdoing anything to the point of exhaustion; or even mental abuse. It is often said that everything is a state of mind, so killing yourself on the inside is just as serious as physically hurting yourself. The things in the list above should never be tried and not considered lightly. It is a serious subject that is happening all over the world. The numbers are getting higher and the list is getting bigger.

The story behind my topic:

How serious is teen suicide? It is often thought that as a teen you do not have many problems in the world; well, this is exceptionally far from the truth. Countless friends of mine have issues, and not the mental kinds. They go through ordeals everyday; and at times, they feel overwhelmed. So what do we have to worry about: relationships, he said she said rumors, talking about people, DRAMA, backstabbing? Yes, but all of these are all “under the radar” type things. More major problems fall under: deaths in the family, divorces, family related problems, arguments, lack of income, a change in lifestyle, and so much more; these are supposed things that should be the adult’s worries, but adolescents rarely let a parent or family member struggles alone. The stress I see every day and the signs people around me make me fearful of what may be in store. “In this day and age” it seems no one can feel good about themselves unless they put someone down. We are stereotyped and categorized based on insignificantly dim contents such as the controversial topic of skin color from the civil rights movement. In our time you can become an outcast for the type of shoes you wear from the people you hang out with. I have seen too many of my friends let things such as bullying or stress get to them. I want to build a site that will inspire those under pressure to call or to talk to someone. This site is life a cyber haven for anyone and everyone. Let it be known and let your voice be heard.