Suicide among young people nationwide has increased dramatically in recent years. It is the second leading cause of death between fifteen and twenty-four year olds. It is not a topic widely discussed by many teenagers. When a person commits suicide, they are killing themselves intentionally (Dead End 14). Each year in he United States, thousands of teens commit suicide. Statistics show that approximately one teen attempts suicide every ninety seconds and a teen is successful at committing suicide every ninety minutes (Youth Suicide 10).

Many suicides can be confused with accidental deaths. Studies have shown that as many as seven thousand teens complete suicide each year, while an additional four-hundred-thousand attempt to commit suicide, but are unsuccessful (Youth Suicide 11). Less than twenty-five percent of people who complete suicide

A suicide attempt has also been described as a cry for help. Many teens who attempt suicide do not really want to die. There is an urge to die, but there is also an urge to live (Teenage Suicide 35). Often a teen who is contemplating suicide, will attempt to tie up loose ends of relationships. Sometimes, suicidal teens will make up with those close to them and let them know how much they mean to him/her in conversations and letters. Suicidal teens may also demonstrate excessive anxiety, lethargy, or crying. They may have trouble making decisions and find it hard to concentrate on ordinary tasks (Teen Suicide 76-79).

Myth 3. Once the depressions seems to be lifting, would-be suicides are out of danger. At such a time, teens are most vulnerable to a reversal. Something can go wrong to make the person even worse than before. The person's apparent calm may be due to having already decided on suicide.

Depression is a major cause of suicide. What exactly is depression? It can be defined as gloominess, sadness, or dejection. Every year, thousands of teenagers commit suicide because of depression that has not been treated. Many teens who become depressed are not sure if they will every find a way out of the hole they have dug themselves into. Many adolescents do not realize that depression will pass. Teens need to understand that experiencing depression is a normal part of life. It is an emotional state of illness. It is important for teens to understand that often times, depression will worsen and they will decide mistakenly that they are mentally ill and decide not to get the help that they may need. Many times, teens will choose not to tell anyone how they are feeling; therefore, their conditions will usually worsen (Dare To Live 29-30).

Myth 4. When people talk about suicide, you should get their minds off it, and change the subject. Take them seriously, and listen to them with care. Give them the chance to express themselves and remember to offer whatever help you can (Survivors of Suicide 101-103).

Myth 2. People who kill themselves really want to die. Most people who commit suicide are confused about whether or not they want to live or die. Suicide is often a cry for help that ends tragically.

Since suicide has not always been an acceptable subject for discussion, untruths and half truths were guessed or repeated without searching for factual information. It is important to dispel some of the misinformation that has been passed down from generation to generation concerning suicide:

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