Changing the Narrative: Youth Suicide Prevention in Utah

This paper discusses sensitive topics related to youth suicide, depression, and mental

health struggles. It includes personal experiences, statistics, and signs of suicidal thoughts. This

content is intended to raise awareness about youth suicide prevention in Utah and encourage

conversations about mental health. Reader discretion is advised; if you or someone you know is

struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, please seek help from a mental health

professional. National suicide prevention hotlines are available for immediate support.

It feels so good to be alive. The wise say we only have one life and must make the best

of it. Some of us are born into a lovely family, and others are not very fortunate. Despite your

circumstances, someone always has it worse out there. Why be sad and question your life's

existence? You must stop being so caught up in your thoughts and your head. Why are kids and

teenagers suffering from depression and having suicidal thoughts? They have it easier than

older generations, like millennials. There seems to be a high spike in suicide rates in Utah

among the youth.

I was once part of that youth and belonged to a statistic in a study. I believe that there is

a problem with the suicide rates in Utah. I think that there can be many ways to prevent suicide,

but it's not easy. It is easy to read articles upon articles about the problems of suicide and ways

to prevent suicide. They even have hotline numbers to call if you need someone to talk to. Yet, it

can be easy to forget or dismiss someone who is suicidal. It is so common that you must

question whether to take it seriously.

According to an article I found from the University of Utah Health, youth (ages 1-17)

suicides have slowly risen across the world. Still, a vast spike has been seen in Utah. According
to statistics, in the last two decades, there has been a triple spike in Utah's suicide rate (State of

suffering: Curbing the rise of Utah suicides). Despite this study, there haven't been many studies

throughout the years. Hope Squad schools are across Utah to help with suicide prevention, but

it's not clear whether it is a good program (Wright-Berryman et al.) However, the increase in

suicide is nothing new. Throughout 2011- 2015, Utah youth aged 10-17 increased an average of

22.8% yearly (Annor et al.).

Suicide has gotten worse throughout the years globally, especially in Utah. I was once

young and suicidal. I had never even heard about it before when I had these ideas in my brain 6

years alone, and I felt alone, and I was stuck in my head. It was a summer, so you would think

that I would be excited. I didn't have to go to school, but school was my escape, and I felt alive. I

thought I could just starve myself until I died, but I wasn't successful. It was not my first time with

suicidal thoughts, and I still get these thoughts to this day. Unfortunately, I never got the proper

help until I became an adult, a month after I turned 18. My parents had a hard time accepting

that mental health was real and a serious issue.

This mentality has always left me wondering why this is. Throughout my life, I have been

told that my generation is lazy and sensitive. I personally know someone who kind of committed

suicide and the impact it had on this family. I couldn't believe certain family members when they

talked briefly about suicide. My family members said that the person who committed suicide was

selfish and was not strong enough. I had never really talked to people about suicide until I met

my partner. I don't know why people don't talk more about it because it is crucial to

communicate your opinions and thoughts about suicide. Both of us are suicidal, and it was a

meaningful conversation to have to know our boundaries and understand when the other should

be concerned.
 Apparently, there are many myths surrounding suicide, and I experienced 2 personally.

People who commit suicide are selfish and weak. People who talk about suicide only want

attention. If you encounter someone who talks about suicide, it is best to always take it seriously

despite your beliefs. According to an article, it is best to remain sympathetic and kind. Asking

direct questions that may indicate self-harm or an attempt is critical. If someone does commit

suicide, it is often due to a mental health disorder and is often complex.

I ended up finding ways to help prevent me from doing anything serious that could take

away my life. Still, I am fortunate that I got the proper help. Not everyone can have access to

mental health care in Utah, which is part of the issue of suicide in youth. There are ways to

prevent suicide from loved ones, but the most important thing is knowing the signs. No one saw

any of the signs that I showed, such as not getting out of bed, pessimistic views, oversleeping,

and irritable. I showed a few signs, but there are many more. Some more examples are:

● Suicidal talk has been heard

● A feeling of hopelessness is mentioned

● It is common for people to complain about feeling like they are a burden to others

● Alcohol and/or drug use is increasing

● Distancing from activities that were once enjoyed

● Looking for materials online to kill themselves

● Isolating themselves from family and friends

● Too little or too much sleep

● Moods such as depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, humiliation, agitation, rage

● After a long period of depression, suddenly feeling calm or euphoric

● Tie up loose ends or say goodbye

 Now, I am better, and if I ever feel hopeless, I have someone I trust to talk to. If it gets

out of hand, I can ask for help. My first suicidal attempt still has an impact on me. Despite that,

my summers are a lot better compared to 2007. I still get suicidal thoughts during the summer,

even if I am doing well mentally. Sometimes, mental health disorders never go away, and just

because it is expected, it does not mean that the importance of mental health should be

diminished. I have seen an increase in mental health problems in Utahns. If you still believe

suicide is not severe and it is all myths, that is fine.

How much longer can we go before more lives get taken away before those numbers

seem a concern? Not just anyone is taking away their lives; kids are taking away their lives. Kids

and teenagers are attempting to take away their lives, and it is not their fault. A more significant

issue is on hand with the lack of mental health accessibility and lack of therapists in Utah.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are in high demand and for a good reason. I could have been

one of those kids who tried to kill themselves and succeeded. I could have been part of a

statistic and eventually forgotten from the world. If you care about your young family members,

watch out for signs. It is always better to be wrong than to grieve for that family member. Instead

of "I could have and what ifs," replace it with taking action.

Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to hear them out. We need to get rid of the

stigma and myths surrounding suicide. We need to have the courage to take action and help

prevent suicide in Utah. By starting where you live, we can slowly begin to decrease those

numbers in many states, and maybe one day, suicide won't be so prevalent among the youth.
 Bibliography
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Pravesh Sharma, M.D. “8 Common Myths about Suicide.” Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo
Clinic Health System, 8 Dec. 2022,
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“Prevention and Student Services.” Utah State Board of Education, Utah State Board of
Education, www.schools.utah.gov/prevention/suicide. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023
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Utah Suicides, University of Utah Health, 4 Nov. 2022,
https://utah-health.shorthandstories.com/state-of-suffering/index.html
Wright-Berryman, Jennifer, et al. “Suicide Concern Reporting among Utah Youths Served by a
School-Based Peer-to-Peer Prevention Program.” Children & Schools, vol. 41, no. 1, Jan. 2019,
pp. 35–44. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libprox1.slcc.edu/10.1093/cs/cdy026