Suicide hurts everyone. Teen suicide on the rise

There has been a rise in suicide deaths over the past few decades. To lose a friend or family member from this earth is hurt enough; but when someone you love takes their own life, the hurt is beyond words.

Not only are they gone from your presence, but never from your heart, the pain lingers by always wondering what you might have done to prevent it.

It is very difficult to understand why they choose to deny themselves of their allotted time on earth to be with you and others; but to depart in such a way as to leave so much hurt behind.

Those who are successful in taking their own lives who have not left a note (or expressed to someone their deep depression and despair) will only leave a hole in the heart of those who loved them without ever knowing why.

Those who have attempted (and by the grace of God failed) can give us some insight into the pain that brought them so close to death. Most of the time, others saw this pain; but felt helpless to make a difference.

Life is just plain hard. When you have been blessed with the best of parents, teachers, leaders, and friends, life is still hard. That is a fact of life just as sure as morning follows night. Those who want to take their lives( more than likely) do not want to be dead; but they just want peace and solutions to their life’s problems.

Many do not realize that suicide is permanent while most problems are temporary. Some think of it as a way to “get even” or to punish someone in their life for not paying attention to them and their desires.

They do not understand their value to Christ and to the world at large.

With teens, the ideation of suicide can come along after experimenting with drugs, alcohol, or experiencing peer pressure, and/or family problems. Teen years are particularly hard because of the drastic change in society; and how it views teens and their problems.

They are forced to grow up too fast, many are robbed of a happy childhood, and some are left alone most of their lives while parents work or seek their own desires. It is an old adage; but has so much value: “A family that prays and plays together – stays together!”

Teens are at a very delicate place in their maturity and most have too many influences that are not good, i.e. violence in the form of movies and videos or simply too much empty hours on their hands. Another good adage along these lines is: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

The time that parents invest in their children is the best way to invest their lives. “Train up a child in the way it should go and when it is old, it will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Laughingly, many parents cling to the last part by saying they can’t wait until their children are old. But there is reason behind this; for in maturity comes better decision making skills.

They are influenced and enticed into adult sexual situations before they are mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with such. This halts them between childhood and adulthood.

They have a false sense of priory and believe what their friends think and do is the way they should also think and do. Since they do not have a good self image; they keep trying to “fit in” and to be accepted by those who wish not to associate with them and this leaves them with low self esteem and pain. Many kids will even engage in dangerous activities to impress their friends when they won’t pick up their dirty socks to impress their parents.

Suicide hurts the one who chooses to throw away their life without fully coming to the end of life as God has planned. There is joy in living long enough to know that your life counted for something while you were on this earth. Suicide hurts those who love them. Suicide is one of those phenomenal things in life that has no rhyme or reason. We are born with the natural bent of survival. Even our bodies are designed to react to dangerous situations.

Even when a person is very ill and feels they cannot cope with life any more, they should be encouraged to know that their life is still worthy; and that if God can use a rock to praise and honor Him, he certainly can use His people until they take their last natural breath.

Many have come to the bedside of a friend or family member and have been so impressed with the life they have lived and the grace by which they are dying – dying in the hope of eternal life – assured them that their lives are also touched by God.

It was once said that each life touches deeply at least 400 people in their lifetime and to think of the influence those 400 can have – and on and on – just because of the witness of just one who was willing to be that witness even in sickness.

The CDC is rife with statistics about who commits suicide, what their race is, their gender, and their age; but they do not post the help that these people need; and sometimes only God can do that. Doctors and nurses are just as mortal as us all. While they study the human body and are able to perform many feats saving a life – they cannot save a soul. Only Christ can do that.

One of the alarming statistics is that people of younger and younger ages are taking their own lives – even as young a ten years old. Not too long ago a six year old took her life. She hung herself in her room because she was mad at her mother. Where would such a young child get such an idea. We can only ask ourselves.

Teens are at such risk these days – they have not (for the most part) been taught the holiness of life – starting with the wide acceptance of our nation that now supports taking the life of the pre-born.

Elders in many cases are pushed aside like an old pair of shoes – no longer important to family and society. They are not honored like in days of yore and for their experience, knowledge, and accomplishments – so many think that euthanasia is the right course for them.

Life is precious – all life. Life is a gift of God; and we were not created on a whim but through careful design to be all that we can be and to honor God always.

If you or someone you know seems so depressed that they might even consider exiting this world earlier than God planned, encourage them to seek help; but don’t leave it there. YOU be some of that help in loving them, teaching them, encouraging them, and helping them to know that they are loved and appreciated. Many times that is all one needs.

Teens need more than food, shelter and clothing to survive healthily. They need to be taught right from wrong, they need good role models to show them how to live a good life, and they need to be sheltered from the curses of the world until they are told enough to make wise decisions. They need to be loved and they need to feel that they are loved, respected, and are expected to be part of the family by helping to hold up their end.

However, far too many parents have waited too long to reach their teens and simply give up for not wanting to “deal” with them. They are worth dealing with – dealing with them by both love and discipline. They are partners – discipline should always be implemented with much love; and the desire to teach and not to punish.

The word discipline comes from the root word for disciple which means to teach. Christ taught the disciples with love that has lasted for over two centuries. More than likely John was still a teen; and he was responsible for writing the Book of Revelation. Mark, from the book by the same name, was also most likely a very young man.

Everyone should make it a priority in life to never tease, make fun of, or bully another person. For those who are tender, this is devastating and in no way fun. It is important for teens to have the acceptance of their peers because they don’t quite understand the value they have in Christ and what their worth really is – and not just a target for those who are thoughtless and cruel; who because of their own insecurity try to destroy others.

The gmc-TV channel has been presenting a film that every teen should watch. This should be shown in every middle and high school in America. It is called, “To save a life!”

About the Episode:

“After a childhood friend's death, Jake Taylor, an all-star athlete must change his life - and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others.”

“This inspirational film recounts the story of Jake Taylor, a well-rounded, Middle American teen who seems to have everything going for him, his world in perfect balance. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes in the form of a childhood friend's death, Jake suddenly begins to question everything he had long taken for granted, and he's soon forced to make a decision that will permanently change his future. Stars Randy Wayne and Deja Kreutzberg.” The link above takes you to the full online movie. The movie can be purchased on Amazon.

For gruesome statistics on suicide in America – check out this link of Fox News.

Below is more information regarding youth at risk:

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults, including—

Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence:

• Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted
• diseases, including HIV infection
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Tobacco use
• Unhealthy dietary behaviors
• Inadequate physical activity

YRBSS also measures the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and young adults.