Persuasive speech

Essay by JayJas June 2014

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Jasmine Manzano

Ms. Kristal

AP English Language

February 27, 2014

Suicide

Who would have ever thought that people would be killing themselves? When people think of a loved one dying, they think it would happen because of old age, never them actually doing it themselves. But this nightmare only seems to be the beginning. Millions of people out there are risking their lives for some of the things in this world that shouldn't even exist. Many of the reasons are age, death of a close one, depression, and feeling worthless. Although many experience depression, suicide shouldn't be a choice they consider.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention assists with the understanding and prevention of suicide. In 2010, there were 38,364 suicides reported making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In the same year, it was said someone passed away every 13.7 minutes. "In 2010, the highest suicide rate (18.6)

was among people from 45- 64 years old. The 2nd highest rate (17.6) were among those of 85 years or older." As for "adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24, [they] had a suicide rate of 10.5." This goes to show that the rates of suicide vary among the different groups of people. What about the suicide methods? Well in 2010, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, "firearms were the most common method of death by suicide, accounting for a little more than half (50.6%) of all suicide deaths. The next most common methods were suffocation (including hangings) at 24.8% and poisoning at 17.3%." It is overwhelming to realize the number of deaths due to suicide. That's the last thing people need to be hearing on the news or reading about in newspapers.

What about those who commit self- harm behaviors? Well in 2010,