Following the tabloids and the social networks, you'd think suicide is one of the Great Problems of the New Millennium. It's definitely a gut-ripping tragedy when it comes around your life as it has been when it has come near mine but in terms of a new problem for an overburdened younger generation ... well ... that's complete crap.
Suicide rates for the last twenty-five years have not changed significantly. The demographics regarding those who are most likely to commit suicide also have not changed significantly, at least since 2000. (American Foundation for Prevention of Suicide: Understanding Suicide)
The reason for taking a look at the numbers doesn't come from a personal depression but rather the hysterical postings I've seen regarding teen suicide as they give a strong impression that it's increasing and that it's something that's new. Neither of those ideas are true.
My own experience with suicide is for the rest of your life you think maybe there is something you could have done. When someone dies normally, you think only God or better eating habits could have made a difference but it's not the same with a suicide. Maybe there's something I could have done. I know personally what suicide means and I don't mean in any way to take anything from the horror of it.
When false information is presented, the most effective way to do it is to use real information but distort it. This happens repeatedly with teen suicides and the impression it gives is that there must be a modern cause to them but that's not true as the cause, whatever it may be, has existed for much longer than that. Therefore, to seriously address why they do it you need to review the entire history or you may find you're trying to solve the wrong thing.
Something noticeable but not necessarily scientifically significant is that overall suicide rates dropped during Clinton years and started rising again during the Bush years. That rise has not stopped but it's not the radical increase the hysterics would have you believe.
(Ed: so what?)
Treat the right symptom and maybe solve the problem. Treat the wrong one and likely make it worse.
As to treating the right symptom, my observation above that the change in suicide rates followed Presidential administrations may be rubbish. Perhaps suicide rates were declining anyway and 2000 is when Fox News hired Bill O'Reilly who has killed more hope than the Angel of Death.
Suicide rates for the last twenty-five years have not changed significantly. The demographics regarding those who are most likely to commit suicide also have not changed significantly, at least since 2000. (American Foundation for Prevention of Suicide: Understanding Suicide)
The reason for taking a look at the numbers doesn't come from a personal depression but rather the hysterical postings I've seen regarding teen suicide as they give a strong impression that it's increasing and that it's something that's new. Neither of those ideas are true.
My own experience with suicide is for the rest of your life you think maybe there is something you could have done. When someone dies normally, you think only God or better eating habits could have made a difference but it's not the same with a suicide. Maybe there's something I could have done. I know personally what suicide means and I don't mean in any way to take anything from the horror of it.
When false information is presented, the most effective way to do it is to use real information but distort it. This happens repeatedly with teen suicides and the impression it gives is that there must be a modern cause to them but that's not true as the cause, whatever it may be, has existed for much longer than that. Therefore, to seriously address why they do it you need to review the entire history or you may find you're trying to solve the wrong thing.
Something noticeable but not necessarily scientifically significant is that overall suicide rates dropped during Clinton years and started rising again during the Bush years. That rise has not stopped but it's not the radical increase the hysterics would have you believe.
(Ed: so what?)
Treat the right symptom and maybe solve the problem. Treat the wrong one and likely make it worse.
As to treating the right symptom, my observation above that the change in suicide rates followed Presidential administrations may be rubbish. Perhaps suicide rates were declining anyway and 2000 is when Fox News hired Bill O'Reilly who has killed more hope than the Angel of Death.
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