The Daily Walk

TEEN SUICIDE

Suicides among young people nationwide have increased dramatically in recent years. Each year in the US., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 years old, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 - to - 14 year old.
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. In some cases, suicide appears to be a "solution."
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. Child and adolescent psychiatrists recommend that 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.

- Change in eating and sleeping habits.
- Withdrawal from friends, and 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 "rotten inside."
- Give verbal hints with statements such as: "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no use," "I won't 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.

If a child or adolescent says, "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit suicide", always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician. 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 child's head," such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems.
With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development.

Taken From Teen Suicide

Ya know... It's really sad the things teenagers have to go through today. Unfortunately, as you saw in some of the statistics yesterday, suicide is one of them. Depression is one of the leading causes of death in teenagers today. Suicide. I don't know one teenager who hasn't thought about it, including myself. And you know what? All those people in the Bible are included! Job was a terribly depressed person. He was so into God. I mean, he was flaming! He was so inline and turned on by God that he was a good man. He wasn't a sinner (for the most part). God was proud of this one. Then, one day, God has a conversation with Satan (Job 1:6-12). Satan got kind of upset, and decided to test God. Now, don't we remember something about not testing God? Luke 4? Well, that's Satan's way of doing it. So God sends Satan out to try to deceive Job. What happens? . Job gets depressed & suicidal! He prays and prays to God. Now here is what Satan was up against! He was reaching Job in that he became depressed and sad and felt lonely. He let worldly things crowd him! But Job still cried out to God? Do you cry out to God? Do you look to Him for the answer? I suggest reading Job if this is your boat. It will definitely help you out! Have a great day! Love You!

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The Premonition

Kyle, his mom Karen, and his sister Kari had been through their share of pain. When Kyle was twelve and Kari was nine, their father had walked out on the family in the middle of the night. They had little communication with him over the next few years, and received no financial help.
To make ends meet, Karen and her children moved in with her mother in Dallas, TX, for a short period of time. Later, she was offered a job in Rock Hill, SC, working for the gospel group The Happy Goodman Family. When the group moved their home base to Nashville, Karen, Kyle and Kari went along.
When Kyle entered his freshman year at Hillwood High School, Karen decided to settle down so that Kyle and Kari could both finish their remaining school years in one place. The family had finally arrived in a place where, for a moment, all the world was right.
Kyle grew into a handsome young man, as well as a talented athlete. He excelled in football, and it became a big part of his life. When he put his uniform on, you could see his eyes light up. His coach and teammates calle dhim "Hit Man" because he loved to hit people and wouldn't back down from anything. He was a good role model, and poured his whole heart and soul into each game.
His senior year, Kyle made the most tackles on his team and was named Defensive Player of the Year. He was determined to play for Austin Peay State University where he would attend college the following autumn.
Kyle and his family had overcome so much. Finally, things were going well. Kyle was happy and filled with dreams. In fact, he co-wrote a poem about it with his friend.

Dreams

A lost young petal
Wondering souls
I see the dream you seek
Follow me, please, if you dare.
The dream is coming
For you and me.
I return by your side
With a heart in my hand.
It is like a bright fire dancing
To the slow music turning.
My heart as smooth as ivory
Has turned to a lonely, sulfur.
I retire my heart now to you,
Love me because I love you.

Still, a sense that he may fall hung ofer Kyle. He was at a crossroads; and though he couldn't see what lay ahead, he had a premonition of what would befall him.
One night, Kyle told his mother, "I've got the crazy feeling something is going to happen to me, and they are going to dedicate the annual to me." Karen told him to never think like that, and Kyle laughed in his usual laid-back way, saying, "Oh, Mom, it's just a crazy thought--nothing's gonna happen to me!"
Still the doubts troubled Kyle, as he wrote in this letter that was found tucked away in his room. It read:

This is to anyone. I'm writing because I need someone to talk to, someone to open myself up to. I need to be held. Yes, me. Even I am not made of brick. Although I'm strong, even strong things break down at times.
Whoever reads, I don't want sympathy or talk, I just want someone to listen.
I sit here laid back, tears are falling from my face. I'm so scared. I feel so alone, so lost, so confused, sad...I realize I'm not going to have all the things I love forever.
Starting off...my friends. God, I've never felt this way. I look at their faces in my mind. What's going t happen? Will I see my friend Kenneth's face forever? I doubt it, even though our love for each other may stay, eventually we'll separate. the same with Marv, Chris, Brew. Brew's dad said he might move to Pensacola. I dread the thought of losing somebody so close, God...
And I'm going to college this year. God, I'm so scared, so afraid. I see Mom. God, I don't want to leave her. Sure I want to party, have a place of my own, but I'm so afraid of leaving because I love her and Kari so much.
My grandparents are going to die soon. I can't see living without...God...
Help...
Football. I'm so scared, I love the game so much. What if I don't make college or get a scholarship? It will be the bloody last time to put on a pair of pads, and that hurts...BAD.
And Mandy. I love her so much, but, God, I'm not even going to have that forever...I mean, sure, you never know...but the only thing that makes me happy and I can talk to might not be here, either. And also talking to her about problems of hers. God, this sucks so bad...I love you, Mandy.
Wherever you may go in the future, I will love all of you...Mom, Kari, Marvin, Chris, Kenneth, Alec, Rodrik, Brian, Travis, Brian, Paul, Bobby, Trey, Brew, Mandy, Luke...
I mean, you know, all I've really, really, really, really got is myself, and then eventually I'm gone.
Well, I'm going. I love everybody. Thanks for listening, piece of paper, or whoever reads it.

Love, Peace.
Your Buddy, Love, Son, Brother, 4ever
I love U All--

That spring, Kyle went to a party. The friend that had driven Kyle had to leave early, so Kyle caught a ride with a young man later that evening when he was ready to go home. The young man, whom Kyle did not know well, had been drinking. Perhaps Kyle didn't realize this when he climbed into the back seat, but it was a mistake that would cost him and his family dearly.
The car carrying Kyle and three other young people was traveling more than 100 miles per hour in a curve. Police reports estimate that the vehicle slid sideways approximately 130 feet, then went airborne for 46 feet. The 1992 Mustang finally came to a stop when its rear end slammed into a tree. Kyle was thrown from the car through the back window.
Karen answered a knock on the door at 1:00 a.m. and experienced what she now calls, "a mother's worst nightmare." She was told that Kyle had been in an accident and was at St. Thomas Hospital in critical condition.
On the way to the hospital, Karen kept thinking of all the hard times she, Kyle and Kari had shared, and how they had always pulled together to make it through. She just knew in her heart that they would be able to again.
Karen's hopes were soon dashed. "We did all we could," said the doctor. Kyle had died.
Though Kyle's pain was over, the pain his mother and his sister would endure had just begun. On Monday, March 30, 1992, (Karen's Birthday) a memorial service for Kyle was held in ths Hillwood High gymnasium. With all the students, friends and teachers present, Kyle's football coach, Jerry Link, presented Karen with Kyle's jersey, number 82, which they had retired in his honor. He also handed her Kyle's cap and gown, which had just come in for graduation. Karen spoke to the crowd.
She told Kyle's fellow students--among them many of his closest friends--the they must continue on, and that they must realize how precious life really is. She asked them not to take chances, and to live each day the best way possible.
Karen looked out into the faces of the young audience. Tears rolled down their cheeks as they remembered Kyle. They reflected upon his bright smile, his crazy sense of humor, his athletic ability--but most of all, the way he seemed to really care about everyone around him. She knew that they all realized, as she did, that it really was worth the pain just to have known him.
As the school year came to a close, Hillwood High School's yearbook was dedicated to Kyle, and his premonition from months before sadly came true. Karen was presented with a yearbook signed by many of his friends and fellow students.

Bruce Birch

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Karen is now involved with Mother's Against Drunk Driving(MADD), and speaks to high school students, as well as to groups of DUI offenses.]

"Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul". Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberley Kirberger., (c) 1997, www.hci-online.com: Pgs. 220-225.

Life can be very hard to go through, sometimes. People often get discouraged and depressed. It's human nature, and we're going to feel that way, from time to time. The problem occurs when we allow ourselves to believe Satan's lies of hopelessness. He will do anything to get us to believe that there is no way out of a situation. And, when this happens, there is a clear choice we have to make: Instead of giving in to the despair and self-pity for the trials we are going through, we have to give in to God and the comfort that the Holy Spirit gives us. In 2 Cor. 1:3-11, our Father is called the "God of All Comfort." There is a peace in the midst of the storm that only God can provide. In Eph. 6, we are told to stand up to the forces of evil, and to put on the armor of God. These reminders help us to stay real to the truth of God's word, and not to become completely overwhelmed whenever life deals us a bad deck. We tend to worry over seemingly insignificant dilemmas, considering what happens on the grand scale of life. There are horrible things that happen to people in this world, and we can't begin to imagine all of the total injustices that have occured -- or have yet to occur. But, worrying about our circumstances and wishing things were the way they could be in a "perfect world" is not going to do us any benefit. Jesus Christ tells us in Matt. 6, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Isn't that one of the most important lessons we could ever learn? Follow God, and He'll do the rest! So, in order to stop worrying, we have to "let go and let God," as we have been hearing so much about lately. In Rom. 8:18, we hear about the "Future Glory." Paul says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Paul also tells us in 2 Cor. 4:17-18, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Remember that song, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands?" Well, He really, truly does! He loves every one of His children, and that includes you!! No matter what you may be going through, it will get better. As limited beings, we might give Him a time limit, in order to see how long it takes for things to improve, but we have to have the faith to let God work in our individual lives, and He wants us to learn along the way. Of course, we may not want to learn the lessons He wants us to learn, but we will need to learn them, to become the people we are destined to be. I Pet. 1:6-7 says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." There is a "required suffering for being a Christian" explained in I Pet. 4:12-19. And in I Pet. 5:10, we're told, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will HIMSELF restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." Isn't that wonderful? So, no matter what trials you may be going through, there is a Savior who loves you more than anyone in this whole world! That includes your family, your friends, your boy/girlfriend, or anyone else. The love Jesus has for you is immeasureable and never-ending! Basically, it comes down to the fact of whether or not you think the "seen" troubles in this life are more important than the "unseen" life that we will be living for eternity. Our lives with Him will be a "never-ending story!" Know that God loves you, and He will never leave you when you need Him! Just keep praying, and realize that He will give us a calm serenity amid our storm, if we let Him. Let go and let God! With God, suicide is NOT an option or a way out! Remember: Jesus is the answer for the world today! In Christian Love, Rachel Fisher