There are a number of useful facts that I was able to derive from this study about “Adolescent suicide risk: four psychosocial factors” conducted by Philip A. Rutter and Andrew E. Behrendt. First, I was shocked to know that suicide is among the leading cause of death for teenagers or adolescents. I never realize that people of such a young age group would be willing to subject themselves to such an extent of ending their own lives. But, as the study shows, it really happens. A number of reports presented by the Centers for Disease Control show that since the late 1990’s up to the present, adolescent suicide is so rampant all over the world that it has taken the attention of many psychologists and social workers. 1 What I also learned from this article/study is the fact that there are many underlying factors why a teenager would commit suicide. Some of the factors may include depression. Depression or depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, the emotion, and the thoughts. It comes in various forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease 2 . The first of these forms is what we now call the major depression. This is noticeable because of a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. The second form of depression and the one that is believed to be the less severe type of depression is called “dysthymia”. This one involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives. Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression) 3 Another factor that could contribute to adolescents’ tendency to commit suicide is anxiety disorders which are the illnesses that fill adolescent’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic, unremitting, and can grow progressively worse. Some people with anxiety disorders even become housebound especially when they feel besieged by panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, flashbacks of traumatic events, nightmares, or countless frightening physical symptoms. 4 Different kinds of anxiety disorders are that can lead to suicidal attempts are   * Panic Disorder is the manifestation of repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying. 5   * Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which is then repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control 6   * Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Teenagers with this form of anxiety are often those who have unfortunately experienced witnessed a traumatic event such as rape or other criminal assault, war, child abuse, natural or human-caused disasters, or crashes. Nightmares, flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, and feeling angry, irritable or distracted, and being easily startled are common. 7   * Phobias. Two major types of phobias are social phobia a