The Bell Jar

Book: The Bell Jar
Author: Sylvia Plath
Pages: 288

Set in the 1950's, The Bell Jar is the story of the gifted, extremely intelligent, and young college graduate named Esther Greenwood. Esther spends some time interning as an editor at a magazine company in New York and afterwards experiences a psychological breakdown. She returns to her mother's suburban home but feels as though this world is just as superficial as her previous one. She finds herself unable to write and wonders if she will ever have a fulfilling life. Slowly Esther descends into a deep and suicidal depression that overtakes her entire body. She is placed in a psychiatric hospital where she undergoes electric shock therapy and continues her struggle with mental illness.    

Information about suicide:

• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide.
• Studies show that 4 out of 5 teen suicide attempts have been preceded by clear warning signs. These warning signs include: disinterest in favorite activities, problems at work, behavioral problems, substance abuse, declining grades, changes in sleep and eating habits, neglectful of hygiene, and withdrawing from family and friends.
• According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL): 19.3 percent of high school students have seriously considered killing themselves, 14.5 percent of high school students made actual plans for committing suicide, and 900,000 youth planned their suicides during an episode of major depression.

Sources:
About Teen Suicide
Teen Suicide