Robin Williams Suicide Analysis

In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of death among persons between the ages of 10-24 [1]. In addition, a large percentage of adolescents consider committing suicide. The Centers for Disease Control found that 16% of students in high schools nationwide reported seriously considering suicide, while 8 percent reported trying to take their own life [1]. One of the difficulties in addressing the issue of suicide is the stigma attached to it. People are unwilling to discuss it publically. [1]

"More people in the general population die from suicide than homicide in North America. There are almost 11 suicide deaths each year for every 100,000 people living in the United States, and for every suicide, there are between 8 and 25 attempts" (Brent 4203). Based on this research, the great effect of suicide is displayed. According to dictionary.com, suicide can be defined as "the intentional taking of one's own life." Suicide is a major issue for all people, but it most obviously affects those ranging from ten to twenty-four. People need to understand the tremendous ramifications caused from suicide everyday; when people take their lives, others lose their loved ones. Suicide, one of the leading causes of death of numerous people each day, has reached a crisis point for adolescents and young adults, and it needs to be prevented.

On October 5, 2016, Fowlerville High School freshman, Brendan Kangas, committed suicide. His whole school and community was struck with grief, previously unaware of Brendan’s battle with depression. The next day school was held on schedule, and it was a very unproductive day. According to the faculty, kids were crying in classrooms, and uninstructed teachers did not know how to handle the situation (Brent). Many Fowlerville students have struggled academically, unable to cope with the news of Brendan’s death. Fowlerville was not prepared to handle such a crisis and administrators were unaware of the effect Brendan’s suicide would have on the school. Since then, several other students in Brendan’s community have attempted to take their lives as well (Brent). Suicide has not only a problem in

Suicide has been rising at alarming rates; the overall suicide rate for children and adolescents has increased over 300% since the 1950s. (Miller, 2009) Adolescent children are screaming out for our help, are we just ignoring the signs or do we not care? For young people, an average 1,800 take their own lives and 85,000 are hospitalized for attempts nationally (CDC, 2008). With this kind of statistics we need to step in and take some action.

This past September, University of Miami staff, students and community came together to participate in spreading suicide awareness by taking part in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Walk out of the Darkness.” According to the University of Miami’s webpage, with more than 39,500 lives lost to suicide this year, this walk is relevant to thousands of people in the University of Miami’s community and it’s clear that UM is eager to get the word

Suicide was seen as a just way to die if one was faced with unendurable suffering - be it physical or emotional”. Throughout time, suicide has been viewed and dealt with in countless ways. Recently in America, the problem has grown increasingly. In the past decade, suicide rates have been on the incline; especially among men. According to the New York Times (2013), “From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 rose by nearly 30 percent… The suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000”. A 30 percent increase with an average of 19 more male suicides than female suicides is certainly an issue for both genders, and an epidemic for men. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (n.d.), found that in 2010, 38,364 suicides were reported, with 78.9% being men. The economic recession, unemployment, and various other factors are speculated to be responsible for this incline in male suicide. As of 2010, an estimated 30,308 men ended their own lives, and it seems as if there is a great risk of that number increasing each year.

From experts on this issue, to the civilians in the public, it is expressed deeply that suicide should not be hidden from any person, including children. It is said that, ¨Each day in our nation there are an average of over 5,400 attempts by young people grades 7-12,¨ (The Parent Resource Program). The thought of a lovely girl named AnnMarie Blaha may come into mind, who took her life in 2013, and was a fifth grader at Meadow Ridge. Nothing can compare to the tragedy of why AnnMarie decided to commit suicide, and the sadness that overwhelmed the school districts was unbearable. From learning about AnnMarie’s story, it can show that like most parents of children who commit suicide, AnnMarie’s parents who had no idea of their daughter’s unknown situation. I confronted my parents, asking them certain questions dealing with this difficult topic. The first question I asked was, “Do you know where to go if you believe your child is thinking of suicide?” Unfortunately, neither one of my parents were able to answer question, because like parents of suicidal children, the thought has never crossed their minds. Since AnnMarie’s death, the importance of educating children and teens of suicide has grown tremendously, and a Prevention Law called, ¨AnnMaries Law,¨ was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner to require ¨the Illinois State Board Education and local school boards to create policies ensuring that students receive age-appropriate lessons youth suicide and prevention¨ (Chicago Tribune). Multiple websites describe the traumatizing death of AnnMarie, but one in particular called, ¨AnnMarie’s Foundation, A Life to Remember,¨ provides resources, hotlines, facts, and notifies the community of warning signals that may be given off by any person. The raise in education is highly needed in all communities. In

Over the past decade suicide rates have been either stagnant or have been decreasing over all of the demographics of people. One demographic of people's suicide rate, on the other hand, has risen at a substantial rate. Scientists and researchers have just started studying this trend and have yet to draw one specific reason on why middle aged white males suicide rates are climbing. The suicide rate for this demographic of people has just surpassed the deaths by automobile accidents. This recent epidemic has got many researchers and scientists asking the question of “why?”.

A standard feature article or personality profile, to be declared as a riveting one, should be written in a style of fiction, patched with pictures and characterized with quotes from the exclusive interview. But given a “death of a celebrity” situation, what could be the new measures in producing a cordial article that can both celebrate and mourn the death of the person?

Bruni refers to statistics of scientific studies of scientist when discussing the growing mental issues of teens. Flags are being raised not only because of suicide rates, but because sleep is beginning to have an effect on the overall body. Fingers are now being pointed towards parents for being the reason of unhealthy habits. Sleep deprivation is becoming a larger problem causing physical, emotional, and mental issues; Frank Bruni expresses strong evidence when referring this problem to the fault of our society.

Conformity: Jailer and Enemy John F. Kennedy once said, “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth” (“John F. Kennedy”). This quote is most definitely true for any type of society. Whether it is the society in which John F. Kennedy lived in, present-day society, or the society that can be read about in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. In this novel, the characters have no other choice than to conform to the society in which they inhabit.

Levine is a practicing clinical psychologist, author, and contributor to AlterNet. AlterNet is an award-winning news magazine and online community. Bruce E. Levine wrote an article titled, “What's Behind ‘Substantial Increases’ in Suicide Rate for Middle-Aged Americans? Bad Economy Is Likely Culprit”. The article poses the idea that poor economics and financial hardships are the source behind the increased suicide rates for middle-aged Americans. It continues to analyze how the Baby Boomer generation had suicide rates that rose during economic contractions, but younger and older generations were not as affected by the economic changes. The author discusses how those older and younger are not as affected by economic and financial alterations due to those younger than 34 may not yet be on their own and are less likely to deal with large financial problems. Also, Americans aged 65 and older have social security and Medicare. The article explains how this specific age group deals with too much economic issues versus the other age groups and that is why the suicide rates have increased drastically for middle-aged

Every suicide effects more than the individual’s life, in truth it impacts families, communities and economic well-being of our nation. According, Piscopo, Lipari, Cooney, and Glasheen, (2016) “Suicide is an important public health problem in the United States and a tragedy for all involved—families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and communities. In 2014, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States overall.1 Among people aged 10 to 34, suicide was the second highest cause of death, and for those aged 35 to 54, it was the fourth highest cause of death” (p. 2).

Imagine someone’s best friend dies. Later this person discovers that their friend commit suicide. Envision this person’s feelings and all of the painful thoughts and memories going through their mind. This person probably feels intense sadness and maybe even betrayal. Do not forget the suicide victim’s parents. Their own child felt worthless enough to kill themselves. The students at the victim’s school have confusion, start rumors, and gossip. All of the victim’s friends feel as if the suicide happened because of them. Everyone feels as if they could have done something to prevent this tragic event. Suicide is a social issue rising in severity. Each year, over a million people commit suicide throughout the world. Suicide has the name of a

The founders of the organization brought individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one together, in efforts to educate and promote the awareness of suicide. Most witnesses of suicide do not understand the reasoning behind it. Individuals are in search of support, but also dedicated to understanding the line of why death was the only resolution. Common questions include what the person in pain must have contemplated mentally, and if it was possible that the incident could have been prevented. While the founders all individually tried to cope with their losses, they then noticed that there were actually more families going through the same tough situation. Getting together for support and hoping to find some answers to the why- question, they found that there was a need for suicide research and education. The struggling families then, are the roots of the Foundation’s aim now; to understand and prevent suicide through experience and funded research.