This essay discusses suicide, particularly among adolescents. It notes that someone commits suicide every 18 minutes, and over 1/3 of youths aged 12-18 who think about or attempt suicide will succeed. Depression is a major risk factor for teen suicide, as it affects mood, thoughts, eating, sleeping, and self-image. Adolescence can be a stressful time due to physical, social and academic pressures, and events like divorce can trigger intense sadness. While depressed people may seem fine, signs may include changes in school performance, sleep, appetite and withdrawal from friends and activities.