According to the National Youth Suicide Prevention Center in Washington, D.C., every hour of every day, approximately 228 teenagers in the United States attempt to take their lives. That is nearly 2 million a year. Teenagers who commit suicide do not do it because they are fully intent on dying, rather, it is the result of an emotional tug of war between life and death that is fought out in their minds. In an effort to escape the reality of a painful existence many teens choose death, not because they want to die, but because they want to get away from life.
– Center For Parent/Youth Understanding
The “cream of the crop” of teens are locked in a life-and-death struggle also. A survey of “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” uncovered that 30 percent had considered suicide and 4 percent had actually made an attempt on their lives. Among the reasons, 86 percent felt worthless, 71 percent felt pressure to succeed, and 65 percent were afraid to fail.
According to the Encyclopedia of Youth Studies, 3.3 million 13 to 17 year olds in the United States have serious alcohol problems. An article published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that 41 percent of high school seniors have used marijuana. A recent survey cosponsored by the NIDA shows that among illegal drugs, marijuana use is increasing the fastest among senior high school students. For more information on current drug and tobacco use among teens, see the web site at:
Many teenagers today feel trapped in what could be called the “Less” Mess. They feel useless, worthless, helpless, purposeless, and hopeless. Despair in many cases has robbed our teens of the idealism, energy, and creativity of youth. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)
-Leading Teenagers to Freedom in Christ
by Neil T. Anderson and Rich Miller
A study by Josh McDowell Ministries discovered that in 1960 the greatest influences on 13 to 19 year olds were, in order: the family, school, friends and peers, and the church. Twenty years later the changes were profound. The top four influences were, in order: friends and peers, family, the media, and school. The church had dropped out of the top four all together.