SUICIDE IN ANTIGONE

1
SUICIDE IN ANTIGONE

• One of the major issues that becomes evident in
  the last scene of the play is that of suicide.
• Three charactersAntigone, Haimon, and
  Eurydiceall choose to end their lives, rather
  than stay alive to face the future.
• Furthermore, Creons first instinct upon learning
  of the tragedy that has struck his family is to
  kill himself as well.

2
SUICIDE TODAY

• Suicide, however, is not just an oft-used device
  in old plays. Suicide is also a major concern
  for todays youth.
• Recent research shows that approximately 11 youth
  complete suicide each day thats one young
  person approximately every 2 hours.
• (http//www.infoline.org/Crisis/stats.asp)
• THATS 11 TEENS TOO MANY!

3
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SUICIDE?

• Take this quiz to find out how well you are able
  to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how
  well equipped you are to help a friend in need.

4
QUESTION 1

• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among
  young people.
• True
• False
• TRUE
• Suicide is topped only by car crashes and
  homicide.

5
QUESTION 2

• Which of the following is a risk factor for
  suicide?
• Mental illness/psychiatric conditions
• One or more prior suicide attempt(s)
• Compulsive, extreme perfectionism
• Loss of significant relationships
• All of the above
• ALL OF THE ABOVE

6
QUESTION 3

• Suicide happens mostly in troubled individuals
  who come from difficult family situations.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• Suicide can happen to anyone, regardless of age,
  race, faith, culture, social status, family, etc.

7
QUESTION 4

• More boys than girls die by suicide.
• True
• False
• TRUE
• 80 of those who die by suicide are male.
• However, 90 of attempts are by females.

8
QUESTION 5

• On average, 1 out of 5 teens consider suicide and
  1 out of 10 attempt suicide.
• True
• False
• TRUE
• Considering these odds, chances are that you know
  someone who has seriously considered suicide
  and/or has attempted.

9
QUESTION 6

• People who abuse alcohol or drugs are more likely
  than others to commit suicide.
• True
• False
• TRUE
• Alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 70 of all
  teen suicides.
• They impair judgment and make people feel worse.

10
QUESTION 7

• All suicidal people are mentally ill.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• Only 5 of all teen suicides involve mental
  illness.
• You don't need to be crazy. Most people who kill
  themselves feel desperate and they act on that
  feeling.

11
QUESTION 8

• There is a genetic predisposition for suicide.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• There is no suicide "trait."
• However, family members have a great influence
  over one another and if one does it, there's a
  likelihood that others may follow the example.

12
QUESTION 9

• People who have tried to kill themselves are
  likely to try again.
• True
• False
• TRUE
• A suicide attempt is a call for help. If that
  call goes unheeded, then the call will likely be
  louder next time.

13
QUESTION 10

• Suicide happens without warning.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• If people are alive, there's a will to stay
  alive.
• Signs include drug/alcohol abuse disinterest in
  or dropping out of usual activities
  restlessness, talk of death, giving away
  possessions, etc.

14
QUESTION 11

• You should ignore a friend who is talking about
  suicide because there is no way s/he could be
  serious. S/he just wants attention.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• Always take suicide talk seriously.
• Listen. Ask if they have a plan. Get help.

15
QUESTION 12

• Talking about suicide will cause it.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• It can be an excellent way to help prevent
  suicide. People who are not suicidal reject the
  idea, while people who may be thinking about it
  usually welcome the chance to talk about it.

16
QUESTION 13

• People who always talk about killing themselves
  never do.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• People who talk about suicide are letting others
  know they need help. The plea for help will get
  louder and more destructive if it goes unnoticed.

17
QUESTION 14

• Most people who kill themselves really want to
  die.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• Most people who kill themselves do so because
  they don't know how to make their horrible
  feelings go away. Many of them didn't want to die
  at all.

18
QUESTION 15

• The person who is suicidal can't be stopped the
  suicide can only be delayed.
• True
• False
• FALSE
• People are suicidal only for a limited period of
  time.
• In the vast majority of cases, things get better
  with time, usually because something has changed.
  

19
SOURCES

• Maine Teen Suicide Prevention
• http//www.maine.gov/suicide/youth/index.htm
• Crisis Clinic
• http//www.crisisclinic.org/youth.html