Every year thousands of children die not from cancer, gunshots or car accidents, but by their own hands. They make the choice to take their own life; they commit suicide. To begin with, what is “suicide”? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, suicide is the act or instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally. The number of teenagers who take their own lives is increasing rapidly every year. Teen suicide is spiraling out of control, and no one seems to realize how serious the problem has become. Every day, an average of 18 young Americans end their lives, one every 90 minutes. The National Institute of Mental Health believes that for every completed suicide, up to 50-150 attempts are made, which means that for every completed suicide, approximately 50-150 more attempts are made (Adolescent Suicide). With these alarming statistics people need to be more aware of the causes and warning signs that often lead to suicide in young adolescents. By being aware of the causes of teen suicide, you have the ability to prevent an event from occurring. Many of the factors that contribute to teen suicide are not new, but most people don't connect the effects they can have on teens. Major factors contributing to suicide among adolescents include: psychological disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, physical or sexual abuse, poor relationships with family and peers, or sudden trauma (Adolescent Suicide: Systematic Quality Review). Psychological disorders tend to include depression and bipolar disorder. Depression is the more common of the two because a person usually loses interest in their favorite activities and feels like they can no longer carry on. Drug and alcohol abuse are also major causes of… middle of paper… purpose in life. Teen suicide can be prevented and it is our duty to help prevent it. Works Cited Cohen, M., Bright, G., Dudenhoeffer, F., Guthrie Jr., A., Hammar, S., Ice, A., et al. (1980). Teenage suicide. Pediatrics, 66(1), 144. Retrieved from the Behavioral and Psychological Sciences Collection database. Nock, M. (2008). About suicide and teenage suicide. Retrieved February 24, 2012, from Kids Health website: www.kidshealth.org/teen.Szumilas, M., Kutcher, S. (2009). Teen suicide information on the Internet: A systematic quality review. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54(9), 596-604. Retrieved from the Behavioral and Psychological Sciences Collection database. Wodarski, J., & Harris, P. (1987). Adolescent suicide: A review of influenza and means of prevention. Social Work, 32(6), 477-43. Retrieved from the Psychological and Behavioral Sciences Collection database.