NewYork City, December 3, 2015
Speech
How would you fix the
Suicide problem in the United States?
In large US cities people commit
suicide less often than in rural areas. According to the National Institute of
Mental Health, the suicide rate in New York of young people between 12 and 24
years, it is around 56% of the national average. Headlining the places with
more suicide US, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming and Utah, which have a suicide rate
2.5 times higher than Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
Suicides are committed by loving
disappointments, family conflict, loneliness, discrimination, economic
situations, returning from the war, little acceptance in themselves, leading to
decay into a deep depression that generates sadness, frustration, and
disappointment.
Suicide does not occur only among
the common people. It has become a common thought of many celebrities who
regardless of money or popularity have thought of suicide to solve their
problems. Robin Williams, actor and comedian was diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease, a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. A forensic report found
signs of body dementia, a condition that leads to a decline in the ability to
think and reason. Williams was found hanging from a belt in a frame of the
cabinet door with cuts on his wrist, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Williams had one year left to go to therapy with the psychologist. If he had
continued therapy perhaps he was still alive.
In early 2015, Caitlyn Jenner
revealed that is transgender, the Olympic athlete 65 years said she hoped to
use her fame as a platform to help others to achieve equality in society.
Article WhoSay entitled The Real Me, exploring issues related to
the transgender community, mentions that a recent study of nearly one hundred
transgender youth aged between 12 and 24 found that 51% reported having thought
about suicide, while 30% had attempted suicide at least once. The suicide rate
for young trans is a tremendous problem, it could decrease if asked for help
from a psychologist.
Another
alarming rate of suicides occur among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, it is 50%
higher than the rest of the population, which determines the shocking figure of
22 suicides per day, approximately 8,000 soldiers per year, take their own
lives according to a study Annals of
Epidemilogy, Official Journal of American College of Epidemilogy. Although
only 1% of the US population served in the armed forces, 20% of suicides in the
United States occur among former soldiers or veterans.
The
Department of Veterans Affairs through the National Mental Health Programme for
Suicide Prevention, offers counseling in person. In 2007 they received more
than 500,000 phone calls and 31,000 messages and chat. At the end of 2014, this
figure had risen to 840,000 communications for help. They have rescued 18,000
suicide veterans who return home to feel disconnected from society and whether
that accumulates can culminate in disaster. Symptoms of depression, panic attacks
and post-traumatic stress, confront the economic and social difficulties, and a
State that does not meet their basic needs for a decent life. They see no way
out and commit suicide. Psychologists through the prevention program could be
their salvation.
There
are many organizations that could help Robin Williams, the transgenders, War
Veterans, and many who attempt suicide. Mencioning some, American Psychological
Association is a scientific and professional organization of American
psychologists. It currently has 150,000 members and an annual budget of $70
million, making it the world's largest association of psychologists in the
world. People with a high level to commit suicide could receive specialized
assistance in Pediatric Psychology, Psychology of Rehabilitation,
Psychotherapy, Association for the Study of the Psychology of Lesbians, Gays
and Bisexuals, Health Psychology, Psychopharmacology, and Substance Abuse,
Adult Development and aging, and Association of Military Psychology. The suicide rate in the United States could
descrease, if those who want to commit suicide were helped by a psychologist.
