Argument Propsal

Riley Lundy

Murray State College

English 1213

Professor Hammet

Essay 1 Argument Proposal

03-10-2025

Word Count: 1283

 

      We get really good at hiding our feelings and never telling anyone, but it can become too much. “As the second leading cause of death in teenagers, suicide has been a consistent public health issue for the past decade” (Godshall et al, 2024). Suicide is a painful topic that causes life long effects on family, friends, and anyone involved. Teen suicide rates continue to rise every year (NAMI, 2023)  and it is time we put a stop to that. It has never been more important for teens to open up about their mental health to bring them out of the darkness of suicidal thoughts. Preventing this requires increasing access to effective mental health care, understanding warning signs, encouraging open conversation, creating safe environments, and much more . 

      By bringing awareness to this crisis, we can help people understand the warning signs of suicide. If you know before and understand what could happen, then ultimately you have a better chance of preventing it. “It may not be immediately apparent the mental health struggles someone in your life is facing, so it is crucial to understand the warning signs” (TMH, 2022). A few of these signs include increased sadness, preparing to give away important things, distancing from family and friends, and loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy (NIH, 2022). Many teens struggling with suicidal thoughts express these feelings or behaviors. It is important to notice these signs before it is too late. If people are able to understand the warnings then there is a better chance of changing the outcome.

      Mental health plays a major role in suicide. First of all, it is important to make sure people have access to effective mental health treatment. This could include school counselors, community mental health centers, and even options on your phone. “The AAP-AACAP-CHA Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health emphasizes the importance of recognizing suicide risk and taking appropriate action to intervene and connect young people with mental health resources” (Ajluni et al, 2024). Many teenagers struggling with suicidal thoughts do not receive the support that they need because of cost, shame, or even limited options on services. There is no reason for teens to not get the help that they need and deserve. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), only around 50% of teens with a mental health condition receive treatment (NAMI, 2023). 

      In addition to increasing the availability of mental health services, it is critical to make sure that it will meet the individual needs of different people. If teens are able to have consistent access to mental health care and professionals who will support them, the risk of suicide can be significantly reduced. Teens need to feel supported now more than ever. There is no reason to lose any more lives to suicide. “Suicide rates increased approximately 36% between 2000–2022. Suicide was responsible for 49,476 deaths in 2022, which is about one death every 11 minutes” (NAMI, 2023). We need to see these numbers decreasing instead of rising every year. Mental health care needs to be made more accessible for everyone and meet the needs of everyone as an unique individual. This would allow people to get the help they need before it becomes too late.

      People opening up about their emotions and how they are actually feeling is crucial. They need to know they are loved and that someone is there for them. Parents and other caregivers should be educated on how to engage in non-judgmental conversations with teens. This can prevent people from having feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. Loneliness is a major problem because it can ultimately lead to depression. “The majority of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression” (AACAP, 2024). When teens are given the opportunity to express their feelings without judgment, it will allow them to feel more valued and supported.

      One of the reasons open communication is so effective is because it can help to reduce the stigma around the struggle of mental health. “Adolescents often feel ashamed to talk about suicidal thoughts due to societal stigma surrounding behavioral and mental health challenges” (Akers, 2024). When families and schools create environments where hard conversations like this are normalized, teens are more likely to seek help and not view it as a weakness. No one deserves to feel like they are the only one struggling and that they have to do this alone. Teens who are able to freely express their feelings will be less likely to suffer in silence and will know when help is needed.

      Adding mental health programs into school can also be very beneficial. School programs are really important because that is where teens spend the majority of their time. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), schools are a key setting for suicide prevention (SPRC, 2020). This would also allow teens to feel more comfortable and accepted by their classmates. When schools prioritize mental health education it will empower students and let them see that they are not alone. Additionally, suicide awareness programs and mental health programs will provide students resources and coping stratgies that student can carry with them after high school.

      Another effective solution to this major problem is creating a safe environment for suicidal or potentially suicidal individuals. This involves taking away items that could likely be risk factors. A safe environment includes physical safety, as well as emotional security. The first step in this is reducing or removing all lethal means among the individuals. This would mostly include firearms and sharp objects. Another step would be reducing substance use. A few things this could include would be prescription medications, alcohol, marajuana, vapes or other forms of nicotine, and much more. Allowing teens to feel safe in their environment could cause positive drastic changes in this crisis. 

      Suicide is a serious issue that can lead to life long problems. By ensuring access to effective mental health care, encouraging open conversation, and creating safe environments, we can be one step closer to saving lives. If we work together using these solutions, we can offer hope to the next struggling individual. No one deserves to go through this alone but instead feel loved and valued. Tallahasse Memorial Healthcare stated, “suicide impacts our entire community, and people of all genders, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds can be affected” (TMH, 2022). Every life matters, so let’s come together and create a world where every teenager remembers their story is far from over.