There have been 2 suicides of adolescent CYC members in the last two years from 2 continents: the United States and Australia. The first incident was one too many for our Christadelphian community. We must, as a community, work together to stop this behavior in our youth. It’s been said that any behavior occurring in the world will take 5-10 years to come into our fold. Living in these last days, teen suicide is the number three cause of death among young people.
“Many young people who threaten or make suicide attempts do so in an impetuous way because of some hereand-now matter. They may have had no thought of suicide twenty-four hours earlier and if, mercifully, little damage is done, thoughts of suicide may be forgotten a few hours or days later. Suicidal gestures in young adolescents and young adults are often a form of emphatic message of frustration or disappointment to a parent, sweetheart or employer. The message in translation may sound like this: ‘It isn’t fair and I don’t like it and won’t stand for it.’ Elements of frustration, rage and spite dominate the moment. Not all of these attempts are unsuccessful. And not all attempts are this impulsive by frustrated adolescents who simply needed to ‘do something’ because of their pent-up frustrations or anger” (paraphrased from writings of Milton H. Miller, MD).
There are those who do this out of depression. This is obviously a different person from the one just described. We must realize that outside counseling and medication may be an answer for any youth this depressed to express, or attempt suicide.
The following are steps that will provide for quality interactions with our youth. I’m sure any one of the parents of either of these young men who have died in the last year would tell you, view them as the gift from God that they are. It is a privilege to be a parent. Pray with your children. Ask them daily what issues they are dealing with and take the time to pray with them about these matters. Read the word of God with them daily. See them as a priority in your life. Praise them when they do something well. Be patient with them. It takes time for them to learn and mature. Hug them and let them know of your love. Participate in their activities. Pay attention when they speak to you with eye contact and good listening skills. Remember courtesy and respect given to them will be returned to you as you expect that behavior from them.
Many young people have a “code of silence.” They know what they confide is going to be kept in strong confidence. This is a very good characteristic to have as a friend but not when it could mean the loss of another person’s life. If you are ever told a suicide plan of a friend, tell him/her that is one secret you just cannot keep. Then tell a responsible adult as soon as possible.
We must as a community of believers work and pray not to have anyone further join in these dreadful statistics. As Ben says in his article, we must constantly encourage one another. Let us pray as a community of believers that we will not lose more of our youth to this infirmity of the flesh.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One