You come to school, and your best friend is gone. Nobody knows why.

Later, you get a call from his/her mother. Your best friend committed suicide. Its hard to believe youll never see them again. Were there signs? Were they unhappy? You know that he/shes gone, and that they committed suicide, but the question still remains. Why? Phil Donahue from NBC TV said, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem (Suicide Quotes). 2000 teenagers commit suicide every year, and for every success there are 350 more attempts in the United States (Wright-Strawderman). Suicide in teens is becoming an increasing problem. Many teens feel that their life is too difficult, leading them to end their life. Adolescent suicide is an impulse decision following a time of hardships; depression and stress can both push teens over the brink. Depression is a problem that teens deal with daily. The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines depression as such: True clinical depression is an illness. It is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with daily life for weeks or longer (Major Depression). Having depression often increases risk of suicide in adolescents. Nobody would want to feel so helpless as to commit suicide. Unfortunately, there are many kids and teens that feel this way. The simplest fact is that depression makes you sad and angry. Suicide attempts are much more likely to happen in those who have feelings of frustration that in somebody whose life is running smoothly. Those dealing with depression, especially teens that are already moody enough, keep from friends and family. This reclusive activity can cause teens to feel extremely lonely, while in reality it is they themselves that caused that feeling. When youre depressed, nobody understands. Or at least thats what you think. At times this can also be true, as families of those who are depressed or suicidal will hide it and think it will go away, or choose not to address and deal with it. The stigma or shame that follows depression and suicide can end up making the suicidal behavior even worse. Its common that one who has depression will take antidepressants to help with their disorder; however there are types of antidepressants that can increase the risk of suicide. There are five types of happy chemical neurotransmitters in the brain: serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, increase only serotonin and norepinephrine levels. When there is an excess of serotonin, the brain produces less dopamine which can increase depression and suicide risk (Hall). Depression influences suicide from all angles: the

simplest, the emotional, and even the prevention. Once clinical depression comes along, its simple to see how suicide can so easily follow. Analysis of a Suicide Crisis line in South Africa showed that one of the dominant themes of their calls were concerning problems of stress (Meehan/Broom). Stress can become too much and heighten risk of adolescent suicide. Homework is an increasing factor in stress. Adolescent suicide rates in America have tripled since the 50s (Bloch S, David). University of Michigan research concluded that, on average, Kids 9-12 were working for more than 3 hours a week in 1997, an increase of about an hour since 1981 (SFGate). Homework rates have continued to rise since 1997, and many kids from 9-12 have up to 2 hours of homework a night, a steep increase from 3 hours a week in 1997 (SFGate). There might be a connection between rising homework levels and rising suicide rates. As crazy as saying, I died because of too much homework, would be, it doesnt mean that too much homework couldnt be an increasing factor. Expecting too much, whether it is of yourself or by your parents can cause major stress. Many teens feel the need to be the best at everything. The pressure to get the best grades, best track times, and get the lead in the school play can come with that. Constantly expecting and forcing yourself to be the best causes major stress (Teen Depression and Suicide). Not living up to expectations can cause as much stress as living up to them. You feel like youre not good enough and need to redeem yourself. Parents may put pressure on you to be the best, and when you dont live up to their expectations of you it can get as bad as being kicked out onto the street. In middle and high school, bullying often arises, causing major stress for teens (Teen Depression and Suicide). Bullying is common, and often adults pass it over by thinking that its just something you have to get through. Nicholas Carlisle, Executive Director of No Bully, thinks that bullying really gets attention when a huge bullying related event takes place (Exploring the Link between Bullying and Suicide). Unfortunately, most people who arent involved tend to overlook the constant stress bullying can cause to so many more people than they hear about on the news. The physical violence and feelings of inadequacy that come along with bullying hurt teens. This can cause major stress, because they dont have a chance to feel worthwhile or strong. Everything becomes a way to humiliate them. One of the more major problems with bullying now is that it doesnt stop when you get home (Exploring the Link between Bullying and Suicide). Bullies can come from anywhere, and nowhere is safe.

Without a break from the stress, the pressure builds until it can become all too much. Homework, expectations, and bullying all cause stress. Stress and bullying are both causes of suicide increase. Teens often impulsively decide to commit suicide when one event pushes them too far. This will mainly happen after they have been bullied and stressed out, but all it takes is one time too many for teens to snap. Kathy Robbins shares, My beautiful son Jonathon ended his life 29 days ago. He was only 22. How 29 days can seem like only yesterday is amazing to me at times. When I heard of parents having a child who died, I always thought that it would be the worst pain possible and thought that I could understand how awful it would be. Until it happens to you, you realize it is a billion times worse than you ever could have imagined, (Robbins). Susana had depression from a young age. In the 7th grade she started cutting herself. Feeling pointless with bad grades, she attempted suicide in the 10th grade (Teen Depression and Suicide). In the next 24 hours, around 1430 kids will attempt suicide, many because of stress and bullying. Dont let the number increase.

Works Cited
Bloch, S, David.. "Adolescent suicide as a public health threat." Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing 1(1999):26. eLibrary. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. "Exploring The Link Between Bullying And Suicide." Narr. MICHEL MARTIN. Tell Me More. 05 Apr. 2010. Transcript. eLibrary. Web. 24 May. 2013."Antidepressants Can Increase Depression, Impulsivity and Suicide Risk by Decreasing Dopamine." US Newswire. 08 Feb. 2008: n/a.eLibrary. Web. 21 May. 2013. Hall, D, Wayne.. "How have the SSRI antidepressants affected suicide risk?." Lancet 9527(2006):1959. eLibrary. Web. 24 Apr. 2013

"Major Depression." PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 08 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 May 2013.
Meehan, Sue-Ann., Broom, Yvonne.. "Analysis of a National Toll Free Suicide Crisis Line in South Africa." Suicide & Life - Threatening Behavior. 01 Feb. 2007: 66. eLibrary. Web. 29 May. 2013.

"Parents: Too Much Homework." SFGate. San Franciso Chronicle, n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. "Requiem - A Short Film About Teen Suicide." YouTube. Navajo Joe Films, 30 Mar. 2013. Web. 08 May 2013. Robbins, Kathy. "My Story." SAVE. Suicide Awareness Voice of Education, n.d. Web. 03 June 2013. "Suicide Quotes." Notable Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2013. <http://www.notablequotes.com/s/suicide_quotes.html>. "Teen Depression and Suicide Part 1." YouTube. BTeensVideos, 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 08 May 2013.
Wright-Strawderman, Pam-etal. "Depression in students with disabilities: Recognition and intervention strategies.." Intervention in School & Clinic 31. (1996):261. eLibrary. Web. 03 May. 2013. Seligman, Katherine.