1. Ashley Schellhase
AP Literature
Mrs. Corbett
November 17, 2011
Suicide Prevention
People were created to love and support one another. Considering untreated
depression is the number one cause of suicide, more people need to be there for one
another. With the dramatically increasing percentages of the suicide rate, as many people
as possible need to be educated, warned, and inspired about this issue (Schellhase).
Suicide prevention begins with spreading awareness in the community, educating people
on the signs of depression, and finally to provide consolation for those recently affected.
To begin, it is important to understand what a growing epidemic suicide has
become in today’s society. For example, the World Health Organization found that, “121
million people worldwide suffer from depression” (TWLOHA). The scariest thought is
that over 18 million of these cases are occurring throughout the United States. Depression
has become more common due to factors such as the divorce rate increasing. People who
come from a broken home tend to struggle with anxiety, mental instability, and stress.
These overwhelming emotions can lead to chronic depression. In addition, “mental health
disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than
90% of all cases of suicide” (TWLOHA). Usually, one becomes depressed due to
circumstances in their past, and they tend to struggle with their current identity and
development. Depression can lead to suicide because one feels disassociated with their

2. community and the people surrounding them. In conclusion, awareness of suicide is
important when trying to achieve prevention.
First of all, “if one is not aware of the seriousness of depression and suicidal
persons, then it will be next to impossible for them to inspire others that hope is in sight”
(Schellhase). In addition, an important vision includes the thought that, “community is
essential, that people need other people, and that people were never meant to do life
alone” (TWLOHA). People cannot handle hardships by themselves; therefore, support
through rough times is necessary for everyone. Support can be shown through listening,
availability, or even giving advice. Also, the community can be a part of raising
awareness by holding campaigns, fundraisers, or participating in missions outreach. The
first step in allowing people to become educated, on depression and suicide, is to get
them involved. The more people who come together and advocate the vision of reducing
the suicide rate, the quicker restoration can take place for those already affected by
depression. Furthermore, communal outreach is vitally important because, “community
can help replace secrets and silence” (TWLOHA). Suicidal persons tend to keep a lot of
dark thoughts to themselves, and the people surrounding them need to be aware of the
seriousness of these thoughts. When people come together for one cause, a lot can be
accomplished for helping others. All in all, informing the community about the severity
of depression and suicide is the first step to recovery.
Likewise, people should also be aware of the signs of depression. For example,
popular signs of depression include self-harm and drug abuse. Self-harm embodies,
“behaviors [like] cutting, burning, needle sticking, and severe scratching” (Salters).
Morover, “experts estimate that 4% of the population struggle with self-injury”

3. (TWLOHA). This is a serious issue found in those feeling lonely, fearful, empty, or even
past abuse. In another instance, depressed people usually abuse, “drugs in the hope of
gaining some relief” (Mulholland). Drug abuse only allows the user to obtain temporary
enjoyment; after one comes down from a high the same worried feelings haunt will them.
Self-mutilation and drug abuse both allow one to believe that there is no hope for a better
future; therefore, they continue to take part in these harmful actions.
Nevertheless, self and drug abuse are not the only signs of depression. Alcohol
abuse and eating disorders chiefly illuminate further signs of depression and suicidal
thoughts. First of all, alcohol abuse tends to be a repetitive habit that many suffering with
depression become addicted to. Consumption of alcohol will allow the user to escape
reality for a short period of time. Users will find pleasure for a short amount of time, and,
“addicted individuals [will] suffer from severe disabling and disturbing physical and
psychological disorders when deprived of their usual fix” (Drug Abuse and Addiction).
Also, eating disorders seem to be a growing problem among depressed people, teens
especially. Society has warped the meaning of beauty into a skinny figure, long hair, and
tan skin. These qualities linger throughout young people’s minds thus leading them to
believe false assumptions, and this causes youth to become insecure in their own body.
Teenagers then feel the need to either not eat or vomit everything they do put down
(Factors that may contribute to eating disorders). In conclusion, these growing issues can
only be brought to light if someone becomes aware that they are taking place. If one can
identify a person with a disorder, then that person can receive treatment as soon as
possible.
Furthermore, help is available almost immediately to those suicidal or depressed,

4. and, “research shows that those who seek professional help and therapy have a very good
chance of recovery, and finding relief from symptoms such as depression and anxiety as
well as others” (APA). First of all, psychiatric therapy exemplifies a common form of
help for depression. Visiting a psychiatrist is recommended when a person experiences
emotion like fear of death, irritation, and restlessness, “simultaneously for a period of
more than two weeks and [interferes] with [their] daily routine life” (Depression- When
to consult a psychiatrist?). Psychiatrists are a great help because they provide the victim
with someone to vent to. On the other hand, suicide hotlines are also a form of help.
Hotlines are available in every state, and a counselor is accessible for everyone seeking
assistance. In some circumstances, people are directed to, “call 911 and ask for help.
[And] tell them [they] are in suicidal danger” (Clark). In conclusion, help is readily
available to those in need.
Another example of how to receive help includes a popular online, non-profit
organization called To Write Love On Her Arms. This organization has a vision to see
lives changed and reach out to as many people as possible. The program all began in
2004 with a girl name Reenee, and a guy named Jamie Tworkowski who wrote a blog on
Myspace.com about Reenee. Jamie found Reenee on the streets, drugged out, bleeding,
and begging for someone to leave her there to die. Reenee had been beaten, abused, and
emotionally drained. Jamie knew Reenee was in desperate need of a rescue. Jamie took
Reenee to receive help at a treatment center, but they would not take her because she had
open wounds. Jamie then decided to allow Reenee into his own home where he clothed
her, fed her, and treated her wounds. This was only the beginning to Reenee’s recovery
story. Reenee is currently twenty-four years old and has been sober for over seven years

5. (Tworkowski). Essentially, TWLOHA raises money in communities around the world
with the intentions to donate to treatment centers, victims themselves, and to research
regarding finding new ways to treat depression. Also, TWLOHA is a huge supporter of
healing through music. They put together concerts to reach people around the world.
These concerts usually consist of popular bands, that way more people will be in
attendance and more people then become aware of the seriousness of suicide and
depression. All in all, TWLOHA is a growing organization found to be inspiring to
millions of people across the world.
To conclude, depression and suicide are directly correlated. In order to help
achieve lowering the numbers of the suicide rate, the community must become aware of
the seriousness. Also, people need to be aware of the signs that lead up to depression and
other mental disorders. Finally, help is available to those suffering from depression or
suicidal thoughts. If community comes together for one cause, then lives can be saved.

6. Works Cited
“APA.” American Psychological Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.apa.org/>.
Clark, Melody. Suicide Hotlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<http://suicidehotlines.com/‌index.html>.
“Depression- When to consult a psychiatrist?” ARC Telediagnosis . N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov.
2011. <http://www.arctelediagnosis.com/‌articles.asp?sno=26>.
“Drug Abuse and Addiction.” ARC Telediagnosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.arctelediagnosis.com/‌articles.asp?sno=10>.
“Factors that may contribute to eating disorders.” National Eating Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 17
Nov. 2011. <http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/‌information-resources/‌general-
information.php#causes-eating-disorders>.
Mulholland, Claran. “Drugs and Depression.” Netdoctor. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://
www.netdoctor.co.uk/‌diseases/‌depression/‌drugsanddepression_000487.htm>.
Salters, Kristalyn. “Self Mutilation .” About.com. N.p., 25 July 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<http://bpd.about.com/‌od/‌understandingbpd/‌a/‌selfharm.htm>.
Schellhase, Ashley. Weblog post. InhlaeLoveExhaleHate. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<www.weinhalelov3exhalehat3.tumblr.com>.
“TWLOHA.” To Write Love On Her Arms. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<www.twloha.com/‌vision>.
Tworkowski, Jamie. Weblog post. Reenee’s Story. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.myspace.com/‌jamiewrites>.