In general terms, suicide can be defined as an individual’s act of taking his/her own life. Most people who take their lives often suffer from depression. Depression refers to a psychological disorder that affects an individual’s logical thinking. In most cases, people suffering from depression face challenges in maintaining good social interactions. Depressed people also suffer from inconsistent mood swings and emotional imbalances. People suffering from the above negative effects of depression, often resort to committing suicide since they find it difficult to continue with their current state of life. This paper will seek to explore the causes of depression that lead individuals to commit suicide.
In a bid to to obtain a better understanding of the occurrence of suicides, it is important to analyze the relationship between age and the occurrence of suicides. It has been observed that most suicides are committed by people who are in their mid ages as compared to people who are young or old. This phenomenon results from the fact that most people experience a decline in their well-being during these ages. The decline in well-being results from increased pressure to handle the responsibilities that are associated with employment, relationships and other tasks. People facing difficulty as a result of increased responsibilities often suffer depression that lead them to commit suicide.
The main cause of suicides among young people is depression that often results from some form of abuse inflicted to them. Their young age often renders them incapable of defending themselves from their abusers. Therefore, such young people resort to committing suicide as a solution to end their abuse. The main reason why old people commit suicide results from reasons such as terminal illnesses and neglect. Most old people develop depression as a result of the physical and emotional distress they experience when they suffer from illnesses and depression. They, therefore, choose to commit suicide in as a way of ending their suffering.
A relationship can also be derived between gender and the occurrence of suicides. It has been established that the ratio of men to women who are likely to commit suicide is 4:1. In reference to children aged between 10-14 years, the ratio of males to females who committed suicides was 4:1. In the adolescent agent group of persons aged between 15-19 years, the ratio of males to females who were likely to commit suicide was 5:1. Among people aged between 20-24 years, the ratio of males to females who likely to commit suicide was 6:1.
In terms races and ethnic groups, it has been determined that 10.3 out of 100,000 youths were likely to commit suicide. It was also established that 6.0 out of 100,000 African American youth were likely to commit suicide. Statistics also indicate that 7.0 out of 100,000 Hispanic youth were also likely to commit suicide. It was also estimated that 8.5 and 20.0 out of 100,000 Asian Americans and American Indians were likely to commit suicide.
The social economic status of people can also be related to the occurrence of suicides. Studies show that the risk of individuals committing suicides increases as individuals go down the social economic ladder. The increase in the occurrence of suicides among people belonging to the lower social economic class has been attributed to depression that developed from their perceived feeling of stigma, powerlessness and poor standards of living.
References:
Croft, H. (2012, January 24). Suicide Facts, Suicide Statistics. Retrieved from HealthyPlace.com.: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/articles/suicide-facts-suicide-statistics/
Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. (2012). Abnormal psychology. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Samaritans. (2012, September 3). Men,Suicide and the Society. Retrieved November 1, 2012, from www.samaritans.org: http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.samaritans.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fkcfinder%2Ffiles%2FMen%2520and%2520Suicide%2520Research%2520Report%2520210912.pdf&ei=ERSUUMvFH5K5hAfTiID
