ABSTRACT

Suicide is the second leading cause of death (after accident) among people fifteen to twenty-four years of age and the rate of suicide is increasing most rapidly in this age group (Andreasen et al., 2006). Suicidal Ideation means thinking of killing oneself. Active suicidal ideation is when a person thinks about and seeks ways to commit suicide. Passive suicidal ideation is when a person thinks about wanting to die but has no plans to cause his or her death (Videbeck, 2011). Different related literatures have identified several factors that affect one's behavior and way of thinking which were identified in this research. This research aimed to determine the demographic profile of the participants in terms of age, gender, marital status, religion, educational attainment and financial status; the factors that initiate the incidence of suicidal ideation and triggers participants to attempt suicide; the coping mechanisms utilized by the participants after the suicidal attempt; and the measures proposed to help the participants as well as the family to cope with the problems and handle the crisis. The concept of the study was anchored on Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs which states that the person should meet the basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid for these would dominate the person's behavior until those needs were met and Carl Roger's Existential theory which says that for a person to fully developed, he needs an environment that will give him a sense of belongingness and acceptance.

This study identified the suicidal ideation of the fifteen to eighteen-year old teenagers within the year 2005-2010. The researchers conducted an observation and interview with two participants who were the center of the study. The research identified the most common factors that' commenced the incidence of suicidal ideation between the two participants and the coping mechanisms they have. The study showed that social pressure and family problems are factors that initiate suicidal ideation.

Key Concepts: Suicidal ideation, Teenagers