Almost every day we hear about someone attempting or committing suicide. Whether it happens on the Internet, on television, in newspapers or even in words, suicide is a harsh reality that is overlooked and undermined. According to an online article, “Teen Suicide Statistics,” in a survey of high school students conducted by the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center it was found that more than one in five teenagers were thinking about suicide, nearly one in six had planned suicide. , and about one in 12 had completed their plans in the previous year. There are many causes that push a teenager to think about suicide, such as bullying, depression and substance abuse. The effects of someone committing suicide are enormous; it can pass from family, to friends, to other suicidal teens, causing devastation and even more suicides. The only hope for this epidemic is awareness and prevention. There are many prevention techniques such as antidepressants and detecting warning signs. Teen suicide is a serious problem and must be treated as such. First, the causes of suicide among adolescents are numerous and varied. It is not possible to pinpoint the reasons into just one cause, but it is possible to pinpoint the most common reasons for suicide. Bullying is a problem for most high school teenagers, but this, combined with stress, anger or depression, can become catastrophic for a developing young adult. Depression also contributes to suicide; Depression is a condition in which the affected person is uncontrollably sad, and sometimes for no reason, which is enough to make anyone contemplate suicide. Another major cause and a major problem among adolescents is substance abuse. Most teenagers have tried drugs or alcohol, but this combined with the depth... middle of paper... suicidal, but more should be done. With all this in mind, we need to quickly address this issue and spread awareness of its existence. Works Cited Carey, Benedict. “The link between antidepressants and adolescent suicide is controversial.” Teenage suicide. Ed. Emily Schusterbauer. Detroit, 2009. 98-101. Press."Revealed: The tragedy of a 'cluster of suicides'; this week new research has uncovered 18 suicides in a small area of ​​Cork. Now the mother of a tragic boy has chosen to tell her son's story, hoping that can help put an end to this epidemic." Daily Mail [London, England] June 18, 2011: 6. Gale Power Search. Network. September 1, 2011.Slump, Elizabeth. “Suicide: An Intergenerational Tragedy (Warning Signs for Suicide).” Presbyterian Record April 1999: 20-2. Storm power research. Network. August 31, 2011. "Statistics on teen suicides." Adolescent depression. Teen depression.org, nd Web. 8/31/11