China: Suicide Nation

09/10/08 | by jake [mail] | Categories: Uncategorized

In most industrialized or industrializing countries the number one cause of teenage deaths is road accidents; in China it’s suicide. Overwhelmingly suicides happen in the country, and overwhelmingly it is women who take their own lives by a three to one ratio. Many doctors in the country attribute this to marriage conflicts within rural communities. So far this school year (which began September 2nd in China) four students have tried to kill themselves, with one doing so. The authorities have sent out mental health questionnaires to thousands of students in Shanghai and local bookkeepers have pulled books off the shelves that have suicide related themes.


Suicides in China are expected to get even worse as the male population continues to far outpace the female population causing society to breakdown, as well as parents who continue to apply even more pressure on their children to succeed in the global world.

Debate Question: why do you think China has higher rates of suicide than most nations?

Self Injury - Females?

09/08/08 | by jake [mail] | Categories: Uncategorized

Self Injury has become a major problem across America's youth and one that has become taboo for many families. The problem has mainly affected females who are under enormous pressure whether its school, their parents, or relationships they are currently involed in. It's tough concept for some to understand why someone would harm themselves to rid themselves of pain but as Dr. Dave Moore Explains:

The physical pain of cutting relieves this psychological and physical tension almost immediately.

This conditon often exists along side other conditions such as eating disorders, or may be a form of repression for sexual abuse in the past. Those who suffer with self injury are not insane, demonic, or anything of the sort but they do need the support of their friends and family to end the cutting.

For some reason there is a gender bias with many more females cutting then males, what is the reason behind that?