Melanie Johnson Family Dynamics In Teenage Suicide Collapse

Melanie Johnsonfamily Dynamics In Teenage Suicidecollapsetop Of Formth

Melanie Johnson Family Dynamics in Teenage Suicide COLLAPSE Top of Form The Role of Family Dynamics in Teenage Suicide Worldwide, every 20 seconds a person takes their own life, accounting for 1.4% of all deaths (Bilsen, 2018). While statistically, suicide ranks as the fifteenth leading cause of deaths, for adolescents it ranks as the second leading cause of death (Bilsen, 2018). That fact is of significant concern for mental health service providers focusing their work on adolescents. Recognizing warning signs, and suicide prevention geared towards children and youth, is likely the most important function of counselors, both inside and outside of the school setting. I, having personally been touched by one successful suicide attempt, and one unsuccessful attempt, by teenagers within the small community I grew up in.

As a high school student, one of the members of my cheerleading squad committed suicide, by overdosing on medications. In retrospect, many of us were aware of the discontent she often talked about concerning her step-father, and his strict expectations for her. Ivy was an outstanding student, very gifted academically, beautiful, talented, super friendly and easy-going. Yet, regardless of all of these positive attributes, Ivy and her step-father could not seem to understand the needs of the other. The constant stress and demand of not seeming to meet expectations, at a time in her life when she was engaged in making critical life-choices concerning college choices, finally led her to remove herself from the situation in the only manner she knew how.

Adolescents are “often confronted with high expectations, sometimes too high, from significant relatives and peers. Such situations inevitably provoke a certain degree of helplessness, insecurity, stress and a sense of losing control (Bilsen, 2018). Poor communication within the family is also found in many cases of suicide, not only with the child or about the child's problems, but in general between family members. Direct conflicts with parents have a great impact, but so do the absence of communication and neglect of communication needs (Bilsen, 2018). While these factors were present in the case of Ivy’s suicide, they were also present, in combination with other risk factors, in the attempted suicide of a teenage relative.

Keith is the youngest of four. His older siblings had either all married within the past three years, or were in college, while he had just graduated high school. His parents were in the process of divorce. Keith and his dad were never close, and never really communicated with each other without arguing. The structure that high school had provided had been an important support for Keith.

Faced with all of the upheaval within his family, at the same time his support network had been removed, was more than he could withstand. Luckily, Keith’s attempt to slash his wrists were not successful, and he was institutionalized for a month in a local hospital’s psychiatric wing. While there, Keith was diagnosed as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which compounded his inability to cope with all of the changes in his life at once. Both Ivy and Keith were dealing with some of the family related risk factors our textbook authors point out as impacting adolescent suicides. Separation of the family unit or divorce, anger, rejection, emotional ambivalence, blended families, limited positive interaction with parents, and poor communication across the family unit are all considered risk factors associated with families of adolescents who attempt suicide – and Ivy and Keith shared most of these family issues (McWhirter & McWhirter, 2016).

Tragically, Ivy did not survive her attempt, and never received the support she needed to conquer her internal struggles and pain. References Bilsen, Johan (2018). Suicide and Youth: Risk Factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 540. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00540. Clinton, T., Clark, C., & Straub, J. (2010). The Quick Reference Guide to Counseling Teenagers. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. McWhirter, L., McWhirter, E., McWhirter, B., & McWhirter, A. (2017). At Risk Youth: A Comprehensive Response for Counselors, Teachers, Psychologists, and Human Service Professionals: Sixth Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Paper For Above instruction

Teenage suicide remains a pressing public health concern worldwide, with alarming statistics indicating that every 20 seconds, someone takes their own life, making it the second leading cause of death among adolescents (Bilsen, 2018). Understanding the intricate role of family dynamics is crucial in developing effective prevention strategies. This paper explores how dysfunctional family relationships, communication breakdowns, and high familial expectations contribute to adolescent suicidal behaviors, illustrated through real-life cases of Ivy and Keith. Both cases exemplify the influence of family-related risk factors such as divorce, emotional neglect, and poor communication, which significantly increase youths' vulnerability to suicidal thoughts and actions.

Family environment plays a pivotal role in shaping adolescents' mental health. In Ivy's case, her strained relationship with her step-father, compounded by constant familial stress and lack of effective communication, heightened her feelings of despair. Ivy's academic excellence and positive personality did not shield her from her internal struggles, demonstrating that external achievements often mask deeper emotional wounds. Her story underscores the importance of recognizing warning signs such as discontent, secrecy, or withdrawal, which are often overlooked or misunderstood by family members.

Similarly, Keith's experience highlights how family upheaval, divorce, and emotional detachment can precipitate suicidal tendencies. His sense of isolation, exacerbated by limited communication with his father and the departure of supportive siblings, illustrates how familial fragmentation increases risk. Keith's diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder further added to his inability to cope with the familial stress, illustrating the compound effect of pre-existing mental health issues and family dysfunction on youth suicidality.

Research consistently links family-related factors to adolescent suicide. McWhirter et al. (2017) identify key risk elements such as emotional rejection, lack of positive familial interactions, and neglect of communication needs. These factors create a sense of alienation and hopelessness, which may lead youths to perceive suicide as an escape. In particular, the absence of supportive communication networks hampers early intervention. Furthermore, high familial expectations can induce helplessness and insecurity, especially when adolescents feel unable to meet such standards (Bilsen, 2018).

Prevention efforts must therefore prioritize fostering open communication within families, providing mental health support, and addressing specific risk factors like family conflict and emotional neglect. Counseling professionals should educate parents about the importance of emotional validation and active listening, particularly during transitional or stressful periods. Schools and communities can collaborate to identify at-risk youths early through screening and support programs aimed at strengthening family relationships.

In addition, integrating mental health education in school curriculums and promoting accessible mental health services can mitigate the impact of familial risk factors. For adolescents showing signs of distress, prompt psychological assistance and peer support systems are essential. Recognizing that family dysfunction does not predestine youth to suicide, intervention strategies should focus on building resilience, fostering hope, and creating safe spaces for emotional expression.

In conclusion, family dynamics significantly influence adolescent mental health and suicide risk. Ivy and Keith's cases exemplify how dysfunctional familial relationships and poor communication can escalate feelings of despair and hopelessness, leading to suicidal actions. A comprehensive approach involving family-centered counseling, mental health education, and community support can effectively reduce adolescent suicide rates. Future research should explore culturally sensitive interventions tailored to diverse family structures and societal contexts to further strengthen prevention efforts.

References

• Bilsen, J. (2018). Suicide and youth: Risk factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 540. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00540
• Clinton, T., Clark, C., & Straub, J. (2010). The quick reference guide to counseling teenagers. Baker Books.
• McWhirter, L., McWhirter, E., McWhirter, B., & McWhirter, A. (2017). At-risk youth: A comprehensive response for counselors, teachers, psychologists, and human service professionals. 6th ed. Cengage Learning.
• McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, E. H., & McWhirter, R. J. (2016). Youth suicide. In McWhirter et al. (Eds.), At-risk youth: A comprehensive response for counselors, teachers, psychologists, and human service professionals (6th ed.). Belmont, TN: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
• Poteat, V. P., Mereish, E. H., DiGiovanni, C. D., & Koenig, B. W. (2011). The effects of general and homophobic victimization on adolescents' psychosocial and educational concerns: The importance of intersecting identities and parent support. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 598–610.
• Baams, L., Grossman, A. H., & Russell, S. T. (2015). Minority stress and mechanisms of risk for depression and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Developmental Psychology, 51(5), 688–700.
• Additional scholarly sources on adolescent mental health and family influence to enrich the discussion.