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Who dies next? Every year thousands of youth die, not from cancer or car accidents but by their own hand. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 500,000 youth try to kill themselves every year and over 5,000 succeed. Since 1970 teen suicide has increased 300 percent for ages 15 through 19 and 180 percent for ages 10 through 14. In one recent survey of high school students, 60 percent said they had thought about killing themselves. That is three out of every five students. 44 percent of the youth who attempt suicide overdose on some sort of drug. Where are these teenagers getting these drugs? 38 percent use fire arms. Where are they getting these guns? The 18 percent left chose various other ways. Why has the youth suicide rate taken such a dramatic jump in recent years? There are several reasons of what might have caused this suicide increase, but almost every reason has to do with the lack of parental interest. Cindy Young, a local licensed professional counselor, states that over half of her youth clients that are suicidal have parents that spend no time with them. The average parent does not spent sufficient ôquality ô time with their children. Now it is more often for both mother and father to work full time, from that one factor parents deprive their children of the time they need. Another reason parents do not spend as much ôqualityö time with their children is because parents have their own interests. It may be watching television, reading, talking on the phone, working on the computer, new family members, such as a new child or spouse. Children seem to take the back burner a generous amount of the time. Another reason for the suicide increase is because many children do not meet up to their parents expectations, so in response parents put their children down, tell them they are worthless, punish them, call them names, and physically abusing them. Because of this, many times children pull away from their parents, keep their feelings in side and often feel they have no one to talk to. Suicidal tendencies also develop child could get suicidal because parents may never verbally express their love for the child. It is very important that children have no doubt that they are loved by their parents. Many parents think that buying their children everything they want is a significant way to show their children they are loved, but it is not. Words need to go along with parents actions for a child to fully understand their parentÆs love for them. Praising the child is also very important. Parents need to acknowledge when their child does something good, and tell the child how proud they are. Sometimes children need praised for no special reason at all. Children also need touch from their parents. Not just a pat on the back every once in a while, but hugs and kisses everyday. Holding children is also a good way to provide the touch they need. It does not matter how old or big they are, holding is still very nurturing for them and helps to keep or create a special bond between child and parent. What can be done to bring the intensely high suicide rate in youth down? I believe the first thing that should be done is to let the parents know what is causing most children to make this choice of suicide. Parents need to know that it might partly be their fault. They need to be tough how to properly meet the need of their children. Class need to be offered by the childÆs school for the parents. Because a lot of parents would not even think about going to these classes, schools need to require it. Parents should not have a choice. These classes would teach parents about the warning signs to look for in their child. The classes would also be used to inform parents about facts of youth suicide. Parents should also be told the thing the y need to be doing with their children. Schools also need to have classes for the youth. Youth need to be informed about the facts of suicide just as much as the parents do. Teach the children that if they are feeling suicidal that they are not alone and that it is okay to talk about it. School counselors also need to be on the lookout in the schools for children that maybe showing warning sighs of suicide. These students need to be watched very carefully and their parents need to be notified. Schools should also start support groups for parents and children. This way parents of suicidal children can meet together and talk with the supervision of a professional counselor. Children who are suicidal can also meet and talk about their feelings out the supervision of a professional counselor. Doing this will help children know that they are not alone and will also get them someone to talk to that understands. Hopefully if everyone works together we can help the youth suicide rate to decrease. Education is the key, parents and children need to know more about this subject. We donÆt want to lose anymore children tothe awful choice of suicide. These children need to having fun and enjoying life not have to battle the thoughts of suicide. Word Count: 892

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