Suicide Amongst Young People- Complex Psychological Mechanism In Our Modern World

Abstract

This article is concerned with analyzing the issue of suicide among the young generation. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), nearly one million people a year die from suicide, which is the second leading mortality factor among persons at the age of 15-29. Suicide is complicated from a social and psychological perspective, an indication of a personal crisis that a young person is unable to deal with by himself. Professionals are dealing with these issues in their practice, more and more. This issue also has changed in accordance with the modern subculture of internet and social networks. What causes a young person to make such an irrational decision? In what areas of his life do we need to examine in order to find the answer? This article is trying to answer this question from theoretical and practical aspects. While depressive and other psychopathological diseases are signal symptoms of suicide, the majority of those suffering from depression do not demonstrate suicidal tendencies. A deep feeling of loneliness and its compensation through social networks, that is widespread among self-depreciating young people, is one of the impulses potentially leading to suicide within the framework of a modern subculture. Do expressions of impulsiveness such as piercing and tattoos that are popular nowadays also be a sign of dangerous behavior and self- harm? What role does family play in making such an irrational, impulsive, and fatal decision? All of these aspects will be discussed in this article.

Keywords: Youth suicidemodern sub-cultureimpulsivitylonelinessdepressionsocial network

Introduction

After many years of work as a military psychologist in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), my goal both personally and professionally was to prevent potential suicides among young recruits. Military service in Israel is compulsory for both young men and women when they reach the age of eighteen.

Without divulging exact figures, it should be noted that the number of suicides in IDF over the past decade have reduced significantly due to public awareness, providing special training for commanders and, of course, incorporating additional specialists namely, psychologists and psychiatrists in the system.

Age factors, separation from the family and the familiar environment, the availability of weapons are all contributing factors in making the terrible, impulsive, ambivalent and irrational decision to take your own life. What is behind this decision? What are the factors pushing a young person to attempt suicide? What areas of behavior should be investigated? What questions should be asked to prevent a potential suicide attempt? I will try to answer these questions by referring to theoretical material and personal experience.

Problem Statement

Without a doubt, suicide is an affliction of the modern subculture of society in general and young people in particular. WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that about one million people worldwide die from suicide every year, which is 16 of every 100,000 of the total population, or, one death every 40 seconds. Moreover, according to WHO’s projections, by 2020 the suicide mortality rate will increase to one case every 20 seconds. Over the past 45 years, the number of suicides worldwide has increased by 60%, especially among young people. As a result, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-29.

Research Questions

• What psychological mechanism is behind this decision?

• What are the factors pushing a young person to attempt suicide?

• What areas of behavior should be investigated during the clinical interview?

• What questions should be asked during the interview to prevent a potential suicide attempt?

Purpose of the Study

The purposes of this study are:

• To analyse the professional literature to identify reasons that bring young people to attempt suicide.

• To present the factors as a complex mechanism.

• To provide practical suggestions based on professional literature and professional experience and research in order to prevent a possible suicide.

Research Methods

In this current study, the following methods were used:

• The Literature review;

• interpretative phenomenological analysis;

• interdisciplinary and comparative analysis

Findings

As a rule, suicide is a complex socio-psychological mechanism, indicating an individual crisis that a young person is unable to cope with alone.

Conclusion

This article is concerned with analyzing the issue of suicide among the young generation. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), nearly one million people a year die from suicide, which is the second leading mortality factor among persons ages 15-29. Suicide is a complex social and psychological mechanism, a sign of a personal crisis that a young person cannot cope with alone. What spheres of human activity should be engaged to prevent a potential suicide attempt? This article is trying to answer this question from theoretical and practical aspects. While depressive condition is a signal symptom of suicide, the majority of those suffering from depression do not demonstrate suicidal tendencies. A deep feeling of loneliness and its compensation through social networks, that is widespread among self-depreciating young people, is one of the impulses potentially leading to suicide within the framework of a modern subculture. A person’s appearance, piercing and tattoos that are popular nowadays are also likely to manifest a dangerous behavior. Finally, what role does family play in making such an irrational, impulsive, and fatal decision? Certain reasons were described that can be presented as a complex mechanism that begins in the family and is expressed in affect, external appearance, loneliness, expression on the social networks, and in different psychopathologies.

Despite all the research and everything that has been done during many through many years of experience and diverse theoretical material on this topic, it is unfortunately impossible to predict with certainty the suicide of any person. “When people ask me why one depressive patient commits suicide, and nine others do not, I answer that I just don’t know” (Litman, 1995, p.135).

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