As outlined in the model presented at the end of this paper, current thinking suggests that an individual's predisposition together with risk factors determines a person's vulnerability for suicidal behaviour. This is then affected by protective and precipitating factors, which can form a threshold leading to suicidal behaviour. The way in which society influences the individual is seen as vital in explaining suicidal behaviour, so the remedy involves discerning the influential social factors and introducing social change to alleviate their impact on individuals. Popular opinion among lay and professional people favours the view that adolescents today are under more and different types of stress, compared with young people from earlier generations. Another view is that the standard of living and quality of life for young people in western countries has improved.
Young people have more education, better physical health, more possessions and leisure.
So, it is argued, they have fewer external sources to blame for their misery. This increases their psychological distress and may lead to suicide. It is suggested that the way to counter this is to involve adolescents in activities they find meaningful and fulfilling. However, what distinguishes depression from a normal mood swing is the duration and intensity of correlate symptoms. The prevalence of depression increases with age, with significantly more adolescents than children being depressed.