Teen Health Course 3

Introduction

One of the leading causes of death among teens in the United States is suicide. A number of factors, including biochemical makeup and life experiences, can put certain teens at greater risk for suicide. However, no matter how overwhelming the problems of someone thinking about suicide may seem, help is available. On the Web site below you will learn about how to get help if you or someone you care about are considering suicide.

Link to explore: National Youth Violence Prevention:
http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/suicide.asp

Directions

• Start at the National Youth Violence Prevention Web site.
• Read through the page on suicide and its prevention.
• Take notes as you read.
• When you are done reading, answer the questions below.
• Finally, using the information from the link, write four questions about suicide you think would help other teens understand what suicide is. Beneath each question write an answer that you think would help someone who is considering suicide At the bottom of your Q & A sheet, include the numbers of suicide hotlines teens can call.

1.			How common is suicide for teens in the United States?
2.			Who is most at risk of becoming suicidal?
3.			If you have a friend who is thinking about suicide, what should you do?
4.			What should you do if you are thinking about suicide?