Every year there are approximately 10 teen suicides for every 100,000 teenagers.

Every day there are approximately 11.5 teen suicides.

Every two hours and 15 minutes, a person under the age of 25 commits suicide. 

Based on these alarming statistics, the Centers for Disease Control ranks suicide as the third leading cause of death for teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.  It also ranks suicide as the fourth leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 14. 

Most everyone at some time in his/her life will experience periods of anxiety, sadness, and despair.  These are normal reactions to the pain of loss, rejection, or disappointment.  However, when a person is unable to effectively handle such adverse life events, this is when he or she may contemplate the thought of suicide.  Often times, their reactions to intense emotional and/or physical pain can leave them mired in hopelessness, which is not good.  When all hope is lost, some people may feel that suicide is the only solution.

It isn’t. Suicide is a permanent solution to what is nearly always a temporary problem. 

Signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley in May 2009, the Student Harassment Prevention Act requires each school system to implement 12 standards and policies for programs in an effort to prevent student suicide.

For additional information, please go to the school website, www.gsmsdolphins.com, click on guidance, click on Files, click on Suicide Prevention. Also available are articles on Teen Suicide Warning Signs and Suicide Prevention: What to do and what not to do.

This information is brought to you from Answering the Call for Help: A Suicide Prevention Manual for Schools and Communities. If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact Wendy M. McIntosh, GSMS School Counselor, at 251-968-8719.