It took the people of Colorado by
surprise on learning the news of two 11-year-old children that committed
suicide within a week of each other. The story hit the news with many wondering
whether it was a matter of coincidence or it was an epidemic. The children are
said to have committed suicide following a bullying incident (Dicker, 2015). The 11-year-olds from Poudre School
District in Larimer County, Colorado were a boy and a girl. The first victim
was a girl that died from self-inflicted injuries after being allegedly bullied
at schools and told to kill herself according to Coloradoan.com. The second
victim was a boy whose names have been withheld out of respect for the families
involved. Colorado has a significant number of suicide-related deaths every
year. It is ranked 7th among all the states in the United States regarding the
suicide rates. The rate of teenage suicides is also on the rise (Dicker, 2015).
Suicide is the act of intentionally
taking one’s life. It is a result of an individual when they feel that they no
longer can endure the suffering in the present or future pain. It is a lack of
adaptation and lack of coping mechanisms and is a regression from the reality.
The motives that underlie suicidal acts are numerous and complex in many
situations. It is difficult and impossible to ascertain the causes of suicide
with a degree of certainty unless if one is acquainted with the individual’s
psychological evaluation at an intimate level. There are indications of social
influences that lead to suicidal tendencies (Keith &
Rebecca, 2012).
Suicide may result from depression
among individuals. Depression is the most common reason to commit suicide.
Severe depression usually accompanied by a pervasive sense of suffering as well
as the belief that an escape from the pain is impossible. The individual feels
hopeless, experiences a lot of pain in their existence, and may become severely
depressed to put up with the pressures of life. The depression may instigate
negative feelings and thoughts about others and themselves. They, therefore, do
not experience e rational thought but have distorted ideas and therefore, the
individual ought not to be blamed for attempting suicide (Keith & Rebecca, 2012). The depression that the
children may have had because of mounting pressure and stress came with
bullying at school. It means that the bullying existed and persisted for a long
time making the children feel the need and urge to lift the pain they felt
through taking their lives. Depression is treatable and therefore, there is a
need to have a keen analysis and watch over our friends, children, and loved
ones. It is because, in most cases depressed children, teens and adults suffer
with it silently and may plan suicide without anyone ever knowing (Keith & Rebecca, 2012).
Another primary reason for suicide
among the teenagers is if they are psychotic. Psychotic individuals may
experience some compelling inner voices that command them to engage in
self-destruction. It is harder to mask psychosis than is depression. It is,
even more tragic in most cases. Psychosis is most attached to schizophrenia.
There is a need to observe behavior changes in the children to identify any
signs of psychosis or to talk to himself. The boy and the girl may have been
suffering from psychosis and, therefore, the urge to commit suicide (Keith & Rebecca, 2012).
Suicide is also majorly caused by
engagement in some behaviors such as drug abuse. The alcohol and drug abuse of
the individual may lead to impulsive behavior. When a person is intoxicated on
drugs, they may become maudlin and spontaneous and hence the attempt to end
their lives from the slightest trigger that they get especially if it led to
emotional and psychological distress (Keith &
Rebecca, 2012). The boy and the girl may have been engaging in some form
of alcohol and drug abuse that may have lead to the impulsive behavior that
left them dead. Therefore, parents should be on the lookout for any form behavior
changes that may be pointing to drug abuse. Moreover, there is a correlation
between bullying at school and engagement in drug and substance abuse among the
minors (Keith & Rebecca, 2012).
A majority of individuals that commit
suicide or attempt suicide have no intention of dying but just need to be
offered the necessary attention. They are intent to alert those around them
that something is wrong or that they are going through a rough time and require
support. Others engage in an act that endangers their life with the sole motive
of hurting someone that has hurt them. Therefore, the children especially the
girl may have been inflicted pain and suffering on her as a way of crying out
for the parents or teachers on what she is going through as she was bullied (Keith & Rebecca, 2012). She could also be
attempting to punish those that bullied her thinking that by her suffering it
would lead to guilt and emotional sentiments among them. Moreover, the boy may
have felt the guilt and a sense of personal responsibility towards the death of
the girl if she took part or witnessed without helping her when she got
bullied. He may have engaged in the suicidal act with the intention of
punishing himself to lift the emotional and psychological pain he felt (Keith & Rebecca, 2012).
Suicide is because of emotional,
physical and mental anguish and destitute. It may also be because of lack of
adequate coping mechanisms to the social and physical pressures encountered in
the environment. Suicide may also be a product of another mental health issue
such as depression, psychosis and alcohol and substance abuse. Whatever the
cause of suicide, it leads to further emotional and psychological suffering of
those left behind and may result in more suicide within a family or social set
up as the feelings of guilt and responsibility become apparent to an
individual. Suicide is, therefore, a psychological phenomenon that causes
substantial wounding among those left behind.
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