Suicide is no longer a rare event that takes everyone by surprise.

We hear of suicides so often these days

that its almost a trend and were so used to the stories that we barely even flinch anymore. Its rather sad.
If we look into some of the cases their causes for death almost seem trivial to those who are living and
those theyve left behind. Some people say that suicide affects the people left behind. But taking one
owns life is never trivial, it is never light conversation; it is scary, unnerving and very real.
Suicide has been linked to mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,
borderline personality disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse. It is said that death only needs an excuse
and it is true. But suicide isnt just a state of mind that develops overnight. Its a lingering thought in the
persons life and finally when they hit rock bottom they dont see the end of tunnel anymore and they call
their final shots. At that moment living becomes much harder than death could ever be for them. A lot of
people criticize suicide victims, never having been in their position to fully comprehend the persons
emotions or thoughts.
WHO states that in the last forty-five years the suicide rates have risen by 60% worldwide and is one of
the leading causes of death in teenagers and basically people between the ages of fifteen to forty-five.
They also mention that suicide is just the result of one problem but a combination of complex
socioeconomic, personal and interpersonal situations. They have reported that nearly 30% of all suicides
occur in India and China.
The reasons for suicides are wide and varied but here are the top ten that have been noted so far:

10.

BULLYING

AND

PEER

PRESSURE

Bullying is now a more spoken about phenomenon than it was in earlier days. It is also more common and
practiced than it was way back when. Kids in their early teens, entering high school tend to experience a
bit more bullying than usual. From pranks to name calling some teens can be really mean people
pushing the other to the far end. Teens who are bullied feel cornered and their self-esteem and
confidence is beaten down to the bare minimum. They feel worthless and incapable of anything
productive. This leads them to think and imagine that their life truly is worthless and therefore no longer
feel the need to keep on living. They work into depressions and end up taking their own lives. Most teens
are scared of further bullying and never bring up whats happening to their teachers or parents and these
things tend to go unnoticed for years on end.

9.

MENTAL

DISORDERS

Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other disorders cause the brain to function differently
than usual and lead to thoughts that eventually result in suicide. A lot of teens with mental disorders dont
feel like they belong in society and consider themselves outcasts. That is just one of the many reasons
that people with mental disorders commit suicide. Frustration with themselves and society and the trouble
they have fitting in often lead them to take call it an end. Mental disorders need to be detected early on
and treatment is required, but sometimes even that doesnt work. Its heartbreaking to watch.
8.

SEXUAL

O R I E N TATI O N

It is mostly in their teenage years that kids come to terms with their sexuality and for most there are a lot
of complications involved. First, a lot of them have a rather difficult time determining their sexuality. Once
they do, realizing that they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or whatever other sexuality they fit themselves in
comes with its own set of difficulties. There is the problem of telling friends and peers who sometimes turn
on the person and mock and ridicule them. But in todays day and age friends are some of the most
understanding people you can have during a time like this in ones life. Then there is the issue of parents
and family, who more often than not are not particular welcoming and understanding about their childs
sexual orientation. This creates a lot of pressure on the child and coming out that already took so much
courage is now being pummelled. The attempt to be themselves and societys view of them creates
turmoil within them. This eventually leads to a depression. Finally when the teen actually starts to believe
that he is actually as a bad a person that people make him out to be, he concludes that living is no longer
worth it. Especially if living means not being able to love who he chooses to love.

7.

DOMESTIC

ABUSE

Some teens are victims of domestic abuse. Over the years theyve been physically and mentally abused
by one or members of their family. This has a long lasting damaging effect on people. Sometimes if they
are not victims then they are witnesses to acts of domestic violence, which has an equally damaging
effect on people. A lot of the time the abusers blame the teens for whatever may be wrong big or small.
Believing that they are the cause of every problem in their household can be very demeaning for the
person. Some survive to have healthy adult lives, some go on to experience more violence from their
spouses in the future; others decide to end their lives there and then, believing no good can ever come
from their existence.

6.

DRUG

AND

ALCOHOL ABUSE

It is in the teen years that people discover the effects of alcohol and drugs. What starts out as just
experimenting turns into a fully fledged addiction. Being young and impressionable, these teens, spurred
on by their friends find it hard to kick the addiction. Some tend to go overboard this is when they overdose
and most do not survive. With alcohol their liver and internal organs start failing till one by one they end
slowly end up taking their own lives. Some overdose on drugs and alcohol because of their various
problems at home or in school not everyone comes equipped to handle tough situations.

5.

DIVORCE

Kids and teens have a general tendency to believe that they are the cause of everything that is going
wrong in the life of a loved one, especially if they are not being told differently. When parents are divorcing
they are sometimes made to believe that they are the cause of it or even they arent told that they come to
that conclusion. Thus in taking their life they assume that their parents will be happy or happier without
them around.

4.

EMOTIONAL

NEGLECT

Parents these days seemed to be involved in their own lives with no concern for their teenage children. In
doing this they sometimes ignore the signs of suicide. Emotional neglect leads to the teen feeling
forgotten about and alone. They feel like their existence makes no real difference and if they were to end
their lives no one would even notice their absence. This emotional neglect has a worse effect than some
people can imagine.

3.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Many teens grow up with being sexually abused, some experience sexual abuse later in their teens.
Whatever the case is, sexual abuse has more than just long lasting physical damages; it is extremely
emotionally damaging as well. The unimaginable pain the person is going to leads them to take their own
life with frustration. In places like India, the rape victim also becomes the communitys outcast. Being
raped is already more damaging and doesnt need to the added baggage of societys hypocrisy.

2.

CYBER-BULLYING

We live in a time where technology occupies most of our time. Teens look online for recreation and friends
and as this may have a lot of pros; it also comes with its cons. A lot of teens get made fun off and mocked
online for various reasons, even for the things they like or dislike and their beliefs. This leads to having
low self-esteem and eventually a whole list of other problems associated with it. Many work into

depressions and other mental disorders and eventually take their own lives because of the mean and
demeaning things told to them. After repeatedly being told how worthless they are they start to be believe
and many times its just a downhill battle from there on out.

1.

STRESS

Pressure at school to get good grades and pick a career at such a young age agitates teens and
becomes too much for them after a certain point. This pressure is increased by parents and families to
live up to a certain standard. Maintaining this is not always easy since everyone is born with different
talents and likings. When the pressure gets too much many teens decide to take the pressure off once
and for all.
Many young people face high levels of stress and confusion, along with family problems. When you throw
in raging hormones, it sometimes seems more than a teen can handle. Perhaps it's not surprising that
teen suicide is increasingly common.
In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death among people between ages 15 and 24, with about
5,000 lives lost each year. Males comprise 84% of all suicides.
However, attempted suicides greatly outnumber suicides. Because males often choose more violent
methods in their attempts, they are often more successful. But females may attempt suicide more often
than males.
In 2012, suicides among teens between ages 15 and 24 accounted for 10.9% of all suicides in the U.S.
If you have ever seriously contemplated suicide -- meaning doing some serious planning, not just feeling
very down -- it's important to take this very seriously. Contact a trusted adult or a mental
health professional immediately.
It's also important to know the suicide risk factors, so you can help yourself, a friend, or a family member
if suicide ever becomes an issue.
What Are Teen Suicide Risk Factors?
Risk factors are habits or histories that put someone at greater likelihood of having a problem. Some of
the risk factors for suicide may be inherited, such as a family history of suicide. Others, like physical
illness, may also be out of your control. But if you can recognize the risk factors for suicide early and act
to change the ones you can control, you may save your life -- or that of a close friend or family member.

Read the suicide risk factors below and check the ones you can control. (For instance, you can talk to a
mental health professional for ways to deal with lack of social support, feelings of hopelessness, or mood
disorders like depression.)
It's important to take these risk factors for suicide very seriously:
Previous suicide attempt(s)
Psychological and mental disorders, especially depression and other mood disorders, schizophrenia, and
social anxiety Substance abuse and/or alcohol disorders
History of abuse or mistreatment Family history of suicide
Feelings of hopelessness Physical illness
Impulsive or aggressive tendencies Financial or social loss
Relationship loss Isolation or lack of social support
Easy access to methods/means of suicide Exposure to others who have committed suicide

Cohen
Suicides among young people continue to be a serious problem. Each year in the U.S., thousands of
teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth
leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion,
self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some
teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new
community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to
be a solution to their problems and stress. Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental
disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and
appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious
problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are
similar to those of depression.

Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:

change in eating and sleeping habits . withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities .
violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away . drug and alcohol use . unusual neglect of
personal appearance . marked personality change persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating,
or a decline in the quality of schoolwork .frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often
related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. . loss of interest in
pleasurable activities . not tolerating praise or rewards

A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:

complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside

give verbal hints with statements such as: I wont be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, Its
no use, and I wont see you again . put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite
possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc. . become suddenly cheerful
after a period of depression
have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)
If a child or adolescent says, I want to kill myself, or Im going to commit suicide, always take the
statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional. People
often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she
is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Rather than putting thoughts in the childs head,
such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to
talk about problems.

If one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek
professional help when the concerns persist. With support from family and professional treatment,
children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development.

A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. Most people who
commit suicide don't want to diethey just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with
recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is
considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts
and feelings can save a life.
.. Everyone in their right mind seems to think you have to be out of your mind to kill yourself. If thats the
case, why are all 17 of these suicide-note excerptsthat were taken from real people who really killed
themselvesso lucid and touching and poignant and insightful?
Ive said it beforeone needs a certain degree of insight into the human conditions wretchedness and
futility to get depressed enough that you consider killing yourself, but it is precisely this insight that means
you have more than dead meat resting above your shoulders and therefore shouldnt kill yourself. In other
words, if you want to kill yourself, thats the first sign that you shouldnt. So nodont kill yourself.
Otherwise, enjoy these beautiful, insightful, moving, and borderline tear-jerking quotes.

Every time I hear someone making ignorant comments about the supposed 'evils' of homosexuality, I
think about the true evil of the high suicide rates among gay and lesbian teens.
Susan Estrich

Suicide is man's way of telling God, 'You can't fire me - I quit.'

Bill Maher
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring
up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and
finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
Abraham Lincoln
So smoking is the perfect way to commit suicide without actually dying. I smoke because it's bad, it's
really simple.
Damien Hirst
Every man has the right to risk his own life in order to preserve it. Has it ever been said that a man who
throws himself out the window to escape from a fire is guilty of suicide?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
They tell us that suicide is the greatest piece of cowardice... that suicide is wrong; when it is quite obvious
that there is nothing in the world to which every man has a more unassailable title than to his own life and
person.
Arthur Schopenhauer
I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else. We have lethal Sunni v
Shia, Catholic against Protestant, but no agnostic suicide bombers attack crowded atheist pubs.
Simon Hoggart
There is no lonelier man in death, except the suicide, than that man who has lived many years with a
good wife and then outlived her. If two people love each other there can be no happy end to it.
Ernest Hemingway
If men can develop weapons that are so terrifying as to make the thought of global war include almost a
sentence for suicide, you would think that man's intelligence and his comprehension... would include also
his ability to find a peaceful solution.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Suicide was such a formative band for me, so influential in the development of my taste. They're one of
those bands that operated in absolute isolation for so long that they developed a completely unique world
view.
Steve Albini
Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia have been profound ethical issues confronting doctors since
the birth of Western medicine, more than 2,000 years ago.
Ezekiel Emanuel
We can consciously end our life almost anytime we choose. This ability is an endowment, like laughing
and blushing, given to no other animal... in any given moment, by not exercising the option of suicide, we
are choosing to live.

Peter McWilliams
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Phil Donahue
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a
democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
John Adams
He was so depressed, he tried to commit suicide by inhaling next to an Armenian.
Woody Allen
I've always disliked kamikazes, that is, people who commit suicide in order to kill others. Starting with the
Japanese ones from World War II. I never considered them Pietro Miccas who torch the powder and go
up with the citadel in order to block the arrival of the enemy troops at Torino. I never considered them
soldiers.
Oriana Fallaci
I'm convinced that we can shape a different future for this country as it relates to mental health and as it
relates to suicide.
David Satcher
Each victim of suicide gives his act a personal stamp which expresses his temperament, the special
conditions in which he is involved, and which, consequently, cannot be explained by the social and
general causes of the phenomenon.
Emile Durkheim
It is always consoling to think of suicide: in that way one gets through many a bad night.
Friedrich Nietzsche
There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide.
Albert Camus
On 'Phoenix,' I talk about thoughts of suicide and my whole life. It's called 'Phoenix' because it's talking
about dying - but when a phoenix dies, it's reborn from its own ashes. I related to that.
ASAP Rocky
If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.
Mahatma Gandhi
Gay teenagers are four times as likely to attempt suicide as straight ones. I wish they knew that there's
nothing wrong with them; that they are just a different shade of normal.
Jodi Picoult
There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession.
Daniel Webster

Suicidal violence is not the exclusive property of the Muslim world. Suicide bombings were a tactic of
nationalist struggles in 19th-century Europe and Russia, the far east during the second world war and the
Vietnam war, and in modern Sri Lanka.
James Buchan
The whole notion of pain, and how every individual experiences pain, is up for debate. We don't know
how another person experiences pain - physical pain or psychic pain. Some of these clinics where
assisted suicide or euthanasia is practiced, they call it 'weariness of life.'
Miriam Toews
.
Teen suicide is a growing health concern. It is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 15
to 24, surpassed only by homicide and accidents, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.
According to experts Michelle Moskos, Jennifer Achilles, and Doug Gray, causes of suicidal distress can
be caused by psychological, environmental and social factors. Mental illness is the leading risk factor for
suicide. Suicide risk-factors vary with age, gender, ethnic group, family dynamics and stressful life events.
According to a 2004 report distributed by the National Institute of Mental Health, research shows that risk
factors for suicide include depression and other mental disorders, and substance-abuse disorders (often
in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have
these risk factors. The risk for suicide frequently occurs in combination with external circumstances that
seem to overwhelm at-risk teens who are unable to cope with the challenges of adolescence because of
predisposing vulnerabilities such as mental disorders. Examples of stressors are disciplinary problems,
interpersonal losses, family violence, sexual orientation confusion, physical and sexual abuse and being
the victim of bullying.
National suicide prevention efforts have focused on school education programs, crisis center hotlines,
screening programs that seek to identify at-risk adolescents, media guidelines (suicide prevention
strategies that involve educating media professionals about the prevalence of copy-cat suicides among
adolescents, in an effort to minimize the impact of news stories reporting suicide) and efforts to limit
firearm access.
Screening programs have proven to be helpful because research has shown that suicidal people show
signs of depression or emotional distress. Referrals can be made for treatment, and effective treatment
can be employed when signs are observed in time. Intervention efforts for at-risk youth can put them in
contact with mental health services that can save their lives.
Suicide is a relatively rare event and it is difficult to accurately predict which persons with these risk
factors will ultimately commit suicide. However, there are some possible warning signs such as:
Talking About Dying -- any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting oneself, or other types of
self harm
Recent Loss -- through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss
of interest in friends, hobbies, activities previously enjoyed
Change in Personality -- sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic

Change in Behavior -- can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks

Change in Sleep Patterns -- insomnia, often with early waking or oversleeping, nightmares
Change in Eating Habits -- loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
Fear of losing control - acting erratically, harming self or others
Low self esteem -- feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, "everyone would be better
off without me"
No hope for the future -- believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever change

Teen Suicide
Suicide is not something that can be over looked. It is the third leading cause of death in todays youth.
Along with so many other things in the world today, it can be prevented. I have lost friends and family to
suicide and never got a reason for why it happened. In this paper, I intend to define suicide, explain how
common suicidal behaviors are among males and females, and examine the differences in suicidal
tendencies between males and females, causes for suicide, and the ways that it can be prevented.
Suicide is defined as the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially
by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind. Many people look at suicide as though it is murder.
In some ways, I can see why. The rate of suicide increases every year. Since 1970, the rate of suicide has
increased 200%. Over thirty years, that is a big increase for a bad thing. Along with that, 30 to 50 % have
seriously considered suicide while 8 to 14% have actually attempted it. The bad thing is that sucicde
accounts for
There are many causes for someone wanting to commit suicide. Depression is one of the leading causes.
Depression can have dire consequences if left untreated. If left untreated, depression can lead to suicide.
Sometimes it is hard to tell if someone is suffering from depression. Most times, depression will go
untreated because the person does not think that there is anything seriously wrong with them. Among
most high school and college students, depression is the leading cause for suicide. Even when someone
jokingly talks about suicide, it should be taken very seriously. All types of depression are considered a
serious illness. Depression can be compared with heart disease or diabetes. It seems like an unlikely
comparison, but it shows that depression cannot be taken lightly. According to anxiety-and-depressionsolutions.com, Depression is a condit...

..
To live means not only to exist biologically or as a psychic entity, but also to cope with difficulties,
interact and communicate with people, make decisions, and sometimes undergo excessive
psychological pressure. Even an adult mind can fail to maintain pressure, making an individual see no
other solution but suicide. Along with this, a risk group that is even more exposed to suicides is

represented by teenagers, who are more vulnerable to stresses and usually do not possess stronglyshaped personalities. According to the statistics, suicide is the second (after motor vehicle accidents)
leading cause of death among teenagers (CHealth); this makes about 1 of 10000 people. Considering
the problems scales, factors which cause adolescents to do away with themselves should be
distinguished.
One of the most common reasons for adolescent suicide is a divorce of parents, as well as a new
family formationincluding step-parents, step-siblings, and so on (CHealth). According to the study of
146 adolescent friends of 26 adolescent suicide victims, those teenagers who lived in single-parent
families were more likely either to commit suicide and to have psychological disorders, compared to
children from complete families; more precisely, three of four adolescent suicides were committed by
children raised in single-parent households (Lists101).
Depression can be another reason for teenagers committing suicides. Scientists usually connect the
development of depression to the lack of the brain chemical serotonin, which controls impulsivity; this
is important considering the fact that many suicides are committed impulsively (NAMI). Moreover,
symptoms of depression can also serve as warning signs of a teen having suicidal thoughts. Among
the most common signs, parents or caregivers should pay attention to the following changes in
behavior: sudden changes of eating and sleeping habits; withdrawal from friends and family members;
giving up favorite activities; lack of response to praise; alcohol and drug use; suicidal feelings, and so
on. Statements about wanting to die or hints like I wont be a problem much longer should also be
payed extra attention (The Ohio State University).

Teenage suicide occurs due to a variety of factors. The numbers remain fairly consistent and schools
have attempted to roll out a number of schemes to tackle the problem. The main cause of teenage suicide
is time. Young people who spend longer with such a chaotic emotional state are far more likely to commit
suicide.
Time is the main factor. If something begins to bother someone, it starts as a mere irritation. They can put
it off for a while, but eventually it begins to take over their lives. Over time, they start to lose the ability to
cope. And this is when they start thinking, and attempting, suicide.
But certain events in a persons life can trigger this scenario, and it differs for everybody.
Bullying is a prime reason why teenagers begin to think of suicide. It can occur in the classroom. The
bullies might resort to verbal bullying to get under their skin. Sometimes, it gets physical and they can

suffer from severe injuries. When nobody steps in, it triggers thoughts of suicide as they feel alone and
isolated from the rest of the world.
Parental divorce is another reason why problems begin to occur. When a beloved parent permanently
leaves the household, it generates feelings of abandonment. It also destabilises the family household and
removes one of their sanctuaries. Without any emotional outlet, they start to believe the only option is
suicide.
Teenage suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Teenagers experiencing such thoughts
believe theres no future for them. A lack of a long-term future and no way of being able to imagine a
positive future leads to apathy. Apathy eventually transitions to depression, which leads to suicidal
thoughts.
Friends play a vital role in a young persons life. Young men and women growing up rarely develop the
level of independence needed to confront life alone. Teenagers without friends are far more likely to
experience thoughts of suicide than those with a strong support network around them. Someone who isnt
independent needs a support network or theyll start feeling lonely and abandoned. Not having any friends
to lean on offers them the free time they need to indulge in dark thoughts of suicide.
All the above troubles can only happen when nobody steps in to help. If nobody lends a hand to help
them, theres the potential for these feelings to turn into actions. The lack of any support mechanisms,
such as through school counselling, parents, and friends allow negative feelings to build up over time.
Overall, its time which causes the most damage, time to let these negative feelings bubble under the
surface. When the pressure begins to reach higher levels, teenagers begin to attempt suicide. By
stepping in early and eliminating these risk factors, the rate of teen suicide can go down.
..- 'Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem
Lifes Pressures Too Much
Whether it is family life, school, academics, sports, acceptance, bullying, sexual orientation, etc., teens
today arent taught how to cope with the pressures of life and the challenges. Life is hard and it will
always be hard. It isnt about having money that answers all problems we face in life. You must deal with
each problem you are faced with accordingly. Dont be an avoider. When something is wrong, fix it.
Dont be afraid to look in the mirror and say, How can I fix this? What can I do to make things better?
This is about courage and having the ability to address issues as they happen.
It will get better too. Remember, no matter what you are dealing with. This too shall pass! Lifes
pressures give us a sense of appreciation. A rainy day makes us appreciate the sunny days.
Reason #2 Acceptance

There are many teens that dont know how to fit into a social circle. I think facebook, computer games,
and social media have done us more harm than they have good. However, I think social media has given
us more opportunities than weve ever had before, but dont let social media be your way of
communicating.
We used to have to go outside and throw ourselves into conversation, games, sports, activities, dances,
and parties. Todays teens are so comfortable being alone on a computer that being in a social setting
can be awkward. Therefore, developing face to face friends can be a challenge. This leads to being
excluded and not accepted in social circles.
Dont think for a second that todays teens are sensitive enough to understand that you are sitting in the
corner. Remember, teens and their frontal development system havent come into maturity yet. All teens
do is think of themselves. Not their fault. They havent reached that maturity yet.
You have to mingle and get yourself involved in school sports, activities, and social events that give you
the opportunity to meet friends and get involved. Plus, this helps your self-esteem and also separates
you from negative influences.
The first person you need acceptance from is yourself anyways. You cant change people, places, and
things. Love yourself first.
Reason #3 Bullying and Cyber-Bullying
This can be categorized under lifes problems and also acceptance, but I felt it needed its own point.
Bullying has taken on its own course far different than the bullying we adults used to deal with. First of
all, when we were growing up bullying was between the school hours of 7:30 am 3:30 pm. Today, it is
24 hours and most likely on the internet, texting, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc.
There is the bully and there is the person being bullies. Allow me to make my point here. The bully is
often someone that has low self-respect and therefore, feels they need to build themselves up by tearing
other people down. That is how they get their personal fulfillment. This will not change. It needs to be
addressed to teens early on in life and taught how to be fulfilled other than by comparing yourself to
others.
I want to speak to the bullied. Listen, you cant give people this power over you. They are not different
than anybody else. We all have been placed in this world for one reason and that is TO LEARN, its just
that we are all at different phases in this learning process.

Being bullied means that you are giving this person or people the ammunition to continue insulting or
saying things about you. When it effects you, its because you are still searching for that identity in your
own life. You dont discover who you are, you create the person you want to be.
The absolute best way to deal with bullying:
Remain Calm Dont let them know they are effecting you
Dont give them power They are nobody more important than you
Stay in control You make them look bad and you look good
Ignore them Absolutely IGNORE them or say something like, I am sorry you feel that way!