SUICIDE: Is that the ultimate remedy for life turmoil?

A victim of depression which often leads to suicidal tendencies

How would you feel as parents, when the police come knocking at your door, to tell you that “Your son committed suicide this morning on his way to school?” 


I don’t think any parent love to hear this, yet many receive reports about suicide in their homes daily. The rate of teen suicide is abnormal, leaving indelible scars on families as they try to recover.

According to teen suicide awareness statistics, every year there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth, approximately 11 suicides every day and a person under twenty-five commits suicide every two hours and eleven minutes. 

Fortunately, many suicide victims survive to share their stories, with little help to stop those who have decided not to live anymore.

What is the force behind this alarming rate of teenage suicide? 

The world is constantly changing from bad to worse, as we live in an environment plagued by diverse problems and sufferings. 

The present generation teenagers are stubborn, brazenly challenging every authority including parents. Many of the youths were raised in an environment of drug violence and abuse homes, significantly affecting their upbringing.

At school students keep on bullying other students, throwing food at them if they look different from other students. Continually facing this problem daily, one is quickly driven to depression when he can’t take it any longer. 

Other factors that have increased youth suicide are the death of a loved one, serious illness, loss of hope, intense emotional pain, bitter parents’ divorce, victims of rape and other psychological problems.

Whatever problem one faces, is it right to commit suicide? As an African, I feel very comfortable when I take a few things from that continent to share. 

Despite the daily struggle, ethnic conflicts, corruption, sicknesses etc; suicide is rare in Africa. Teenagers do not commit suicide. Why? Because the Holy Bible the white man brought to Africa to deceive our ancestors, has saved Africans from that abominable act, while in Europe and America only a few know about the significance of the Holy Bible.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Train up a child in a way that he should go, and he will not depart from it.” This great quote reminds parents of their responsibilities as mothers and fathers in bringing up children. Hundreds of teenagers smoke because their parents smoke. 

You can’t tell a fourteen-year-old child not to smoke, whilst the parents smoke heavily. 

The hospital is there to solve many health problems but sometimes prayer is the right step to both psychological and spiritual healing.

Many teenage suicides could have been prevented if parents take interest to provide help, talk to their children to know what is really bothering them and find an immediate solution.

THE HIGH RATE OF TEENAGE SUICIDE

A depressed teenager



The rate at which teenagers are now committing suicide is overwhelming. The idea of a young person killing him or herself because of worries, pressure, or frustration is devastating and affects the family, school, friends, and the community.


Barely few months ago, a girl visited her friends to have a swim in a swimming pool. Three days later, the girl's mother called the family where her daughter went to the swimming pool that she has committed suicide. 

She just waited for a coming train and jumped onto the rail. It is a very complicated issue trying to find the reason some children or teenagers end up their lives tragically in this manner.

The question is, do they hate themselves? Are they being bullied? Why is life suddenly meaningless to many teenagers when they have parents to take care of them? 

When a teenager starts to smoke heavily and take alcohol frequently, parents shouldn't wait long to help the child. Sometimes parents are too hard on children for the fear of something happening to them, especially when the child wants to lead the life he wants best.

When any parents are confronted with such issues, there are organizations and trained people ready to help the child. Parents must be very close to their children and speak to them often to know if they are happy or not over something. 

Here, the child will be happy that his parents are showing concern, signifying their love for him. The child will, therefore, tell them whatever is worrying him for his parents to give him help.

CIGARETTE SMOKING: A FASHION FOR TEENAGERS?

31 May: No Tobacco Day


Thousands of people today, including teenagers, are heavy smokers due to various reasons such as nervousness, pressure, frustration, and stress. 


Smoking has claimed and continues to claim thousands of lives yearly, that it become an urgent issue to the World Health Organization (WHO) to institute a "No Tobacco Day" on May 31, 1987, to discourage and eradicate cigarette smoking.

Despite the warning on cigarette boxes, smokers choose to satisfy their desire unconcerned. The cigarette has been known to contain eighteen different poisons. 

The two most destructive are tar, a carcinogenic or cancer-producing substance, and nicotine. Some of these attack the delicate membranes of the windpipes, and those that find themselves in the bloodstream interfere with its normal circulation.

It's now like a fashion to see teenagers between the ages of 10 and 15 holding cigarettes at hideouts or in public places. It's like a competition. When you ask any teenager the reason for smoking, they smile away. 

Those capable of giving you an answer say, "They called you a baby when you didn't join the group". Tobacco smoking is said to cause many ailments as emphysema, tuberculosis, night sweats, chest pains, wheezing, loss of weight, cancer, and complications in pregnancy.

Since the campaign against smoking began, the WHO has introduced many measures to prevent smoking in buses, airplanes, trains, restaurants, and other public places. But many see this campaign against smoking as a bother or nuisance. 

They only realize the mistakes they had made when a disease is diagnosed. Cigarette smoking is not an expensive luxury but a slow, silent murderer.

A person who gives up smoking does something worthwhile for their health. But many smokers have a real battle to conquer when it comes to stopping the habit. Here are a few recommended steps to refrain from smoking. 

Staying away from other smokers as much as possible will reduce the temptation to smoke and strengthen your resolve not to start again. 

Instead of smoking, a heavy smoker should rather become a vigorous campaigner against the use of tobacco in any form. This may change the attitude of friends toward smoking.

Taking plenty of exercise, including deep breathing and long walks in the open air daily, will clean the lungs and improve one's sense of well-being. 

Eating regularly and not attempting to lose weight will gradually break the tobacco habit. A smoker who wants to quit must avoid highly seasoned foods, alcohol, tea, and coffee. These can easily influence one to crave smoking.

Drinking enough water, at least ten glasses a day, helps to reduce the craving for tobacco. Many may not believe this, but try and see that prayer is the answer to many problems. The power of Jesus is stronger than the hurricane. It is the same power that can change your life.

If you can try all or of these recommendations, you will see yourself as a different person. After your bitter experience in the dark, there is a bright light waiting for you at the end of the tunnel.