“I can’t endure this any longer. The voices in my head are growing louder, and I feel trapped. Life has become unbearable, and I don’t want to continue. Please, I need help.” As I sit across from her, I see a mixture of despair, fear, and sorrow reflected in her tear-streaked face. Her trembling hands reveal her struggle to maintain any semblance of control in a world that feels chaotic.
After gathering her thoughts, she answers the questions I, as a school counselor, am obligated to ask—the ones I dread. The three standard inquiries often feel like a necessary yet daunting ritual.
- “Are you contemplating self-harm or suicide?”
- “Do you have a plan in place?”
- “Do you possess the means to carry out that plan?”
The final question is always the hardest. Despite asking these questions for over 15 years, the weight of the last one feels particularly heavy. If they have a concrete plan and access to means, we are teetering on the brink of a tragic loss.
Conversations like this happen every day, whether in a counselor’s office, a classroom, or a private chat with a therapist, pastor, or friend. If these discussions occur, it signifies a glimmer of hope. It is the silence that truly alarms us—the individuals who suffer in isolation, having already answered those three critical questions within their own minds before slipping away unnoticed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 42,773 reported suicides in 2014, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. On average, someone dies by suicide every 12.3 minutes in the country. There exists a direct link between depression and adolescent suicide; for individuals aged 10 to 24, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death, claiming roughly 4,600 lives annually. The primary methods employed in youth suicides are firearms (45%), suffocation (40%), and poisoning (8%).
However, the tragedy extends beyond those who die. More young people survive suicide attempts than those who do not. A nationwide survey of students in grades 9 to 12 revealed that 16% had seriously contemplated suicide, 13% had formulated a plan, and 8% had attempted to end their lives in the previous year.
One winter morning stands out vividly in my memory. The weak light in my office came from a small lamp as I entered, and I was taken aback to see a familiar shadow in one of my chairs. This was the student I feared for most, the one I often thought about at home, wondering if I would see him the next day. His head hung low, hands shaking, tears flowing as he finally looked up at me. “I almost did it last night,” he whispered, his voice barely audible yet filled with gravity.
Instead of immediately launching into my routine of questions, I paused and listened.
“I was alone in my room with a loaded gun. I had it in my mouth, my finger on the trigger, when I heard her voice—my mom. She had just returned home and called my name. That’s when I stopped.”
Even now, years later, I feel a deep ache for him. His pain, isolation, and despair had pushed him to the brink, where he believed suicide was his only escape. The moment his mother’s voice interrupted that dark decision was pivotal—not just for him, but for her as well.
Time is a recurring theme we discuss with young people. Many report fleeting urges to end their lives, which, if they can endure, often dissipate. If they can navigate through that moment without access to lethal means, they might wake up the next day with a renewed sense of possibility. If someone intervenes, they can access help before those feelings resurface. Having a lifeline—someone they trust to confide in—can be a lifesaver.
We must ensure that classrooms do not have empty chairs left by those we lost.
Trust
Identifying a single person they can confide in, someone trustworthy with whom they can share their vulnerabilities, is crucial in our fight to save lives.
Connections
The power of human connection cannot be overstated. In times of profound loneliness, a simple gesture of understanding can ignite the path to seeking help.
I cannot claim to have all the answers, nor do I know if we will ever witness a significant decrease in youth suicides. The statistics are daunting, and any loss is one too many.
What I do know is that our youth need us. They must see hope reflected in our eyes and feel heard and accepted when they reach out. We must help them realize that they are not alone in a world that often seems isolating.
We need to encourage them to hold on.
Help is available.
Hope exists.
They are not alone.
This is not the conclusion of their story.
For those seeking more information on navigating these challenges, resources like March of Dimes provide excellent insights. Additionally, for personal stories related to overcoming struggles, consider visiting this site, which shares inspiring journeys. If you’re exploring options for home insemination, check out our post on the baby maker at home insemination kit for guidance.
Summary
Youth suicide is a pressing issue, with many young individuals facing overwhelming despair. Conversations around this topic are crucial for providing hope and connection. Understanding the importance of time, trust, and human connection can make a difference in preventing these tragic losses. We need to continue to support our youth, reinforcing the message that help and hope are always available.