Suicide

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The young adult years are a period of great transition for just about everyone. Physically, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, and socially this can be the most challenging time of your life. The stakes are enormous. Suicide attempt behavior occurs frequently among adolescents who have difficulty meeting these challenges. It has been estimated that over 500,000 teens attempt suicide each year (Popkin, 1990,p.11).

Intense emotional states such as anxiety, anger, hopelessness, and depression have been noted to occur just before and during a suicide attempt in adolescents. Depression is the most common factor reported during psychological autopsies of adolescent suicide victims (Greenhill & Waslick, l997, p.643).

Suicide is the third most common cause of death in the United States for young adults 15 to 24 years (Greenhill & Waslick, l997, p.641). According to the Centers for Disease Control, l994, suicide peak prevalence of 32 per 100,000 occurs at age 20 for male youths.

There are a number of risk factors associated with completed suicide among youth. Some include a tendency toward aggression, previous family suicidal behavior, and substance use and abuse. Studies have shown that as many as 80% of people who attempt suicide had been consuming alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant.

Boys are at greater risk for suicide completion following a romantic break-up than are girls. Data suggests that the adolescent male suicide victim develops an "excessively dependent romantic relationship," making them experience excessively overwhelming stress when their girlfriends left. Close family and friends will often report intense levels of anxiety or anger prior to death (Greenhill & Waslick, l997, pg. 645).

Other hard challenges may include facing friends after a public humiliation, doing poorly on an exam, watching parents separate or divorce, and being unable to adjust to the social demands of a new cultural setting. Unsuccessful attempts to adjust may make one feel depressed and wonder if life is worth living.

The United States Surgeon General, David Satcher, in the March 2000 issue of "The Economics of Neuroscience," and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, prepared a report that listed seven protective factors for suicidal prevention. Among them were these three: Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation instincts, learned skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes, and family and community support (pp.54-55).

Suicide and self-destructive behavior rarely occur without warning. The following behavioral changes have been associated with depression and suicidal behavior:

Drastic change in personal appearance, usually from good to bad.

Somatic complaints, such as muscle aches, headaches, and backaches.

Inability to concentrate.

Problems in judgment and memory.

Dramatic shift quality and quantity of school work.

Changes in daily behavior and living patterns such as extreme fatigue, boredom, altered sleep patterns, and increase or decrease in appetite.

Social and school change, including disruptive behavior in the classroom, falling asleep in class, or inability to sit still.

Emotional outbursts (compounded with laughing and crying) or sudden bursts of energy followed by lethargy.

Excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

Loss of friends.

An overwhelming sense of guilt.

Talking of suicide, writing a suicide note or last will And testament. Giving away prized possessions. A suicidal gesture or attempt. Comments such as "I'd be better off dead", "I won't be a problem for you much longer" or "Nothing matters; its no use" are hints of possible suicidal feelings.

May also become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression, because they think they have found a solution to their problem, by deciding to end their life.

The Church teaches that all life is sacred, that through His death on the Cross, the Lord Jesus Christ had transformed suffering so that all people could draw closer to God and others through it, and that people who killed themselves prematurely are rejecting the power and love of God. Further, the Orthodox Church purports that people who take complete control of their lives are blocking out God and every other human being. One who commits suicide is completely self-absorbed and denies the possibility that God can take care of their difficulties and transform them into something positive and meaningful. A person who commits suicide has rejected life and God's love.

Only through life experiences will you understand how to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only through life experiences will you learn the true spiritual meaning of "in the fullness of time." Time can and does ease much of the hurt. With the realization of "fullness of time" one knows that only God can determine the time and events taking place in our lives.

The sixth commandment states, "Thou shalt not commit murder." The Holy Bible strictly forbids murdering anyone. Those who commit suicide will be judged as murderers (of themselves). Suicide is actually worse than murder for in killing another human being one is killing only the body, whereas in suicide one is killing both the body and the soul. Suicide prevents the possibility of repentance thereby jeopardizing salvation. This is contrary to the will and authority of God. The seriousness and permanence of suicide has to always be remembered.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 states that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, thereby damaging this Temple is a sin. Broadly applied, anything that damages this Temple, smoking, drinking, and suicide, all are considered sinful. Galatians 6:7-8 states "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."

Suicide is a violent act against the teachings of the Church. Matters of life and death are not ours to control. The exception to suicide being an "uncontrolled" act of violence against God, is the mentally ill person who cannot reasonably assume responsibility for his actions. A mentally ill person is responding to hallucinations, delusional thoughts, or other bizarre thought processes.

Suicide could be a means of manipulating another person, attacking or harming someone else, a way of causing pain to the present family or past family, or can be used as a source of power over others. It can also be a way of escaping some sort of pain or life experience that is found to be overwhelming. Therefore, the person committing the act is saying they are the master of their own fate and they have the right to determine what happens to them. Clearly, they are rejecting the Divine authority and the Creator.

With this blatant disregard of life, and the lack of conscious repentance associated with suicide the Orthodox Church cannot pray over the body of a suicidal individual who has induced his own death.

What can you do to prevent someone from committing suicide? First recognize the warning symptoms. Then, reassure that person that he has someone to turn to. Listen to the person and reassure the individual that depression and suicidal tendencies can be treated. Refer the person to the church priest. The priest is a trusted Christian counselor who will recognize the need for further evaluation by a psychiatrist or counselor as needed. You can prevent teen suicide by offering to help those in need get help. That's true friendship. That's Christianity in action.

This poem was written by a 17 year old high school student undergoing psychotherapy for depression. It provides insight into suicidal ideations.

Time passes by
Minute by minute, hour by hour
As I see myself die.
No one around to relieve my loneliness
No one around me who cares.
Each day that passes
I see nothing but conflicts.
No meaning to life,
Yet no meaning to death.
I'm like a rope in tug-of-war
Always being pulled upon.
Constant anger
But all inside,
As I see myself die.
Never any happiness
Only hopelessness and helplessness.
Shall the day arrive soon
Or shall I survive?
How can I live with a constant lie,
For.she must die.

H.G. Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States