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Deadly taboo: Youth suicide an epidemic that many in Utah prefer to ignore
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Sam | 1:37 a.m. Nov. 8, 2007
Sierra.... I love you.
Terrance L. Smith | 5:48 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Children here in happy vally are isolated from the start of their lives. They
are not allowed to work out their negitive interactions on their own, but must
be nice and and not be confrontational. People here are very private and cannot
have a conversation with a stranger. Here, people are taught to be estranged
from the community at large and therefore are not bonded to the love of life
that contoversial interactions promote. I'm from the east where people
argue about politics and religion, and people can deal with confrontation. This
custom allows one to externalize in a healthy way their internal feelings. Were
these suicidal children encouraged to express their true beliefs in a forceful
manner? Utahans hate confrontation. They are taught to internalize everything.
Comments continue below
Melissah Jackson | 8:40 a.m. June 21, 2008
I lost my little brother to suicide eight months ago. I don't think that
the people that try to commit suicide understand how hurtful the outcome is to
their families. I think that starting in junior high, kids need to have an
assembly with videos and stories about kids that went through with it, and how
it effects everyone they know. We definately need to discuss this subject with
our children now! The stresses that children are dealing with at the tender ages
of the teenage years are usually pretty trivial, and will disappear and be
forgotten with time. Kids that young should not be dying from their own hands.
We need to teach them now! I love you Alex, and miss you everyday!
Melissah Jackson, | 5:53 p.m. July 9, 2008
If you read this again, and I hope you will. Your idea is great. If only they
knew. My daughter was one mentioned in this article. It hurts. It hurts beyond
words. Suicide is a veil of darkness that haunts families for the remainder of
their lives. I stumbled across this accidentally. I am glad I did.
Leah Robison | 1:55 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008
My beautiful seventeen year old daughter, Julia Robison, took her life Aug 22,
2008. Just minutes after we had told her how much she was loved and how proud
of her we were for making good choices. My heart breaks for anyone that has to
live through this hell. Her two siblings are struggling so hard right now. I
will pray for each of you. This is an epidemic. We have to do something to save
our kids.
LJR
LJR
Dr. D. G. Johnson | 10:33 p.m. Jan. 18, 2009
Were the cause of this suicide epidemic actually mental illness, we would still
have to explain why mental illness is more prevalent in Utah than elsewhere in
the U.S. And it strains the imagination to blame mental illness coupled with
drug use. These children of LDS are not allowed to drink coffee; they use drugs
at a much lower rate than children in other parts of the country. If we want to
explain the suicide epidemic, we will have to think harder.
Allen S.Thorpe | 10:03 a.m. Jan. 24, 2009
I've suffered with depression from the age of 12. The only thing that kept
me from considering suicide was the knowledge that I wouldn't really die,
but would have to face the Savior and explain why I cast aside his greatest
gift. This isn't a negative thing, however. I've also had moments of
great joy and hope.
I believe that without God, mortality has no meaning, and the pain it inflicts on many is too hard to bear. We have replaced God with the wisdom of man's philosophy, such as nihilism and existentialism, and the belief that the mind of man is the source of highest wisdom. But such ideas offer no redemption, no purpose other than play out the insane game of survival of the fittest.
I believe that without God, mortality has no meaning, and the pain it inflicts on many is too hard to bear. We have replaced God with the wisdom of man's philosophy, such as nihilism and existentialism, and the belief that the mind of man is the source of highest wisdom. But such ideas offer no redemption, no purpose other than play out the insane game of survival of the fittest.
JMS | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 26, 2009
I disagree with the Dr. There are a good number of faithful LDS teens that hide
drinking and drugs from their families because they don't want to
disappoint them. They live double lives partying with friends on the weekend and
going to church on Sunday, reading scriptures, hiding the truth. These confused
children are good kids who, as mentioned in the article, are under a lot of
pressure. It is not wrong for children to decide the church is not for them.
They should not be shunned as I was as a teen for choosing a different religious
path. Luckily, I had a mother who talked openly about the church and drugs and
let me decide on my own what was best for me. My grandparents and ward neighbors
still made me feel like I was Satan's spawn because I had different views
on religion and I consumed alcohol. I had suicidal thoughts up until my
son's father committed suicide five years ago. The impact suicide has on a
family is ever lasting. God bless those who have lost a loved one this way. And
may all the struggling teens find happiness.
May | 1:42 p.m. March 26, 2009
Just because you disagree, does not change the facts. Our Mormon youth have so
much pressure and expectation, no wonder they fall into despair. They
don't have Jesus, His free gift of forgiveness and Grace. It is all based
on how well they perform for the organization. They need to have a personal
relationship with Jesus, where they can know they are forgiven, redeemed,
adopted and FREE.
ryan k | 8:40 p.m. July 24, 2009
To May. I do not feel that a religious relationship would save people the way
you think. I have been close to ending my life and you find yourself in the
darkest pit you can imagine looking over a cliff. I think the best way to help
the situation would be to conduct surveys in schools, find those that have
looked over the edge of this cliff and turned back. Find those who chose life
and ask a simple question, "Why?". We have to find young people that
are willing to talk about their lives and we must be brave enough to ask the
questions. Never underestimate how complicated and deep the minds of young
people can be.
marlene | 4:21 p.m. Sept. 4, 2009
My family had a close incounter with a morman teenager in our town. He is a
young man with much passion and he thought he could think independently. It
turned out he was wrong. We had the opportunity to know him for 8 months. He
was shamed into going back to the chruch and wiped all close relations
completely away in order to return. My heart goes out to anyone, in any
religion, who is made to feel guilty, shameful, and told they will not go to
heaven, for free thinking. Is this not a free country? I understand why the
sucide rate is highest in Utah. There childern are repressed, depressed, and
learn at an early age to detach from their emotions and reality. My heart goes
out to this young man because his independent thoughts were stolen from him. No
one should ever have that taken away.
taco | 11:52 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
mormon... not morman
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This is a powerful story. Would you do a follow up on the families. How are they coping? Please. We all need to know, how are the families dealing with this to this day.