Teens explore difficult issues.

SOH Health Students Write About Suicide
by Omar Arce

Two weeks ago the students in Mr. Esposito's Comprehensive Health Class at Southwest High School wrote articles about suicide. The students were assembled into groups in order to obtain as much knowledge as possible from the information that was given to them. Students in that class it felt awkward discussing a subject that is not far from taboo. The main goal of the project was to promote awareness about suicide. After the articles were completed, Mr. Esposito asked the Raiders Digest staff to make the information presented by his students available to the student body at large.

The statistics presented in the articles are alarming. "Suicide is the third cause of death for people between the ages of 14 and 24. Approximately 4,500 young people take their own life every year but even more attempt it. About 149,000 teenagers and young adults are treated for self-inflicted injuries in the U.S. every day". These facts were presented by Michelle Avila, Claudia Arias, Natalia Alvarez, Pedro Bonillas and Marris Boldridge.

Other students wrote that withdrawal from everyday life is a main indicator of suicidal behavior. "When a person is contemplating suicide he or she begins to feel hopeless. Another symptom is that a person might stop talking to his or her friends. In addition, a person might begin to neglect their needs, such as taking a shower, changing clothes, and eating. The person might also lose interest in everyday activities. Rebellious attitude and violent behavior are other symptoms". This group was composed of Elma Gonzalez, Moncerrat Galego, Miguel Flores and Priscilla Grijalva.

Melissa Maher, Abraham Morales, Derek Miranda, and Omar Manrique believed that depression is the cause of many suicides. "A common factor behind suicide is depression. Teens commit suicide as an attempt to escape their issues. Some might be angry or feel guilty for something they did and cannot deal with the pain".

Students wrote that the best way to prevent suicide was talking. "If someone talks about suicide or you want to end your life, don't keep it to yourself! Take all talks of suicide seriously and understand that suicide is not the solution. Change negative thoughts to positive. Never keep it a secret, always remember that nothing that can happen to you is as important as your life. Suicide is always preventable and the only person to protect yourself from it is you". This was written in the article submitted by Andrea Ruiz, Daniel Murguia, Giovanni Grageola, Tanya Ramos, Nicolas Nunez, Salvador Velazquez, Joseph Dancel.