Suicide+Through+Song

Name: Alex McCann Student Number: n8314012 Tutor: Katie Page

=Suicide Through Song=

I close both locks below the window I close both blinds and turn away Sometimes solutions aren’t so simple Sometimes goodbyes the only way

And the sun will set for you And the sun will set for you And the shadow of the day will embrace the world in grey and the sun will set for you

Cards and flowers on your window Your friends all plead for you to stay Sometimes beginnings aren’t so simple Sometimes goodbyes the only way

And the sun will set for you And the sun will set for you

Death is a natural part of all human life, an inevitable fate we all face. Despite this seemingly cruel destiny waiting, death is portrayed and constructed in various forms throughout society. Death can be used not only as a tool strengthening and motivating groups, but also as a deterrent, discouraging masses of people. However, not only is it presented in many ways within society, but through various different mediums. These mediums can be through the media, artwork, through writings such as poems, architecture or even statements. Possibly eclipsing all of these however, is the medium of music, with its worldwide scope reaching large audiences.

One particular representation of death, and more specifically suicide, can be seen in the 2005 song by the band Linkin Park, titled //‘Shadow of The Day’//. This modern representation of not only suicide, but also as a reflection of life and death, presents itself to a worldwide audience thereby positioning many of its demographic in particular ways, and can be seen as a modern example of a cultural artefact.

The lyrics used within this this song can be described as intricate and meaningful, proposing significant ideologies about suicide, death and life. Life is described as something that must eventually end, ultimately resulting in death. This is most evident within the verse, //“the shadow of the day will embrace the world in grey and the sun will set for you”//. This line explains how we will all return to being dust of the earth, and how only their memory is left behind and it is the shadow of their life. In regards to suicide however, it is presented in an extremely destructive way. //“Sometimes solutions aren’t so simple, sometimes goodbye’s the only way”//. This line presents the idea that when life is terrible and you are depressed, it may be easier to simply take your own life, rather than fix the problem. With these facets of the song in mind, death and suicide are presented in an extremely negative light.

Suicide presents itself as a significant global burden, causing an estimated one million deaths per year. In response to this large burden, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released an international policy statement which has prompted many countries to implement suicide prevention policies (Hawton & Van Heeringen, 2009, p. 1372). Self-inflicted deaths account for around 1.5% of total deaths and vary in accordance with region, sex, age, time, ethnic origin and practices of death registration (World Health Organization, 2011, p. 2). As this data shows, suicide is a significant burden. On a national scale, throughout 2009, 2132 deaths by suicide were reported within Australia. Over the last decade it seems as though suicide rates in Australia have declined, from 2,363 in 2000 to 2,132 in 2009. However, caution must be exercised when interpreting such trends in the context of changing ABS and coronial practices, and especially when consulting preliminary data. Of the 2132 suicide deaths reported in 2009, males accounted for 77% and females 33% (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009, p. 81). Significant suicide trends can also be seen in age contexts, with suicide accounting for 22.1% of all deaths amongst young men aged 15-24 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009, p. 83). Suicide therefore cannot only be seen as a significant health issue facing Australia, but also it’s increasing prevalence within a young demographic.

Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of suicide within Australia. These factors include genetic loading, personality characteristics, early traumatic life events, neurobiological disturbances, psychiatric disorder, and physical disorder, psychosocial crisis, availability of means and exposure to models. Furthermore, suicide is highly prevalent in the unemployed. As unemployment is also associated with mental illness, this relationship is very significant and considerably increases the likelihood of suicide (Hassan, 1992, p. 23).

Research also found indicates that suicide rates in teenagers have risen, particularly in males. Many contributing factors previously discussed present themselves as significant factors for young people. Most young people who commit suicide suffer from depression, psychiatric disorders, affective disorders, substance related disorders and disruptive behaviour disorders. Other important contributory factors include previous suicide attempts, family disruption and discord, loss events, physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, and homosexual and bisexual orientation (Hawton & Van Heeringen, 2009, p. 1372). Media influences are also important in young people, and some suicides also seem to happen in clusters (Hassan, 1992, p. 23). This research coupled with the statistics indicates the high prevalence of suicide within young people, and the significant health issue it presents.

In response to this overwhelming global issue, prevention strategies have been put in place by numerous countries. Within Australia, some strategies include specific targets for reduction in suicides. Although the value of these steps has not been proven, they do seem to help focus attention on the problem of suicide. Prevention of suicide can best involve strategies that focus on individuals in known high-risk groups and strategies aimed at general reduction in population risk of suicide (Hawton & Van Heeringen, 2009, p. 1372). This is the reason why within Australia, specific strategies have been designed targeting high risk groups such as young people.

Targeting high risk groups, such as young people, is challenging because of the many cases and poor evidence base. Other limitations of this strategy method include the large scope of disorders contributing to suicide, and the difficulty in effectively identifying and addressing these issues appropriately. As an example, a person with depression will need to be screened and evaluated by a health professional in regards to their suicidal thoughts. In cases of mood disorder however, treatment options include antidepressants, mood stabilisers, and psychotherapy. Diagnosis and treatment of depression plays a pivotal part in prevention of suicide. However, the relation between antidepressants and risk of suicidal behaviour is debated, particularly in young people. The high risk of suicide after self-harm or attempted suicide means that individuals with such behaviours, especially those with characteristics indicating higher risk, such as repeated self-harm, should be targeted in prevention programmes (Ruzicka & Choi, 2006, p. 29). It can be seen that specifically targeting disorders leading to suicide is difficult, and presents itself as an issue within the broader social and health issue of suicide, particularly in young people.

After Emile Durkheim wrote //The Rules of Sociological Method//, he tackled the subject of suicide. He studied suicide as an example of something that seems extremely personal, with no social aspect to it yet still being affected and influenced by social forces. It could be argued that suicide is such a personal act that it involves only personal psychology and purely individual thought processes (Coryell & Schlesser, 2006, p. 149). However, Durkheim's aim was not to explain or predict an individual tendency to suicide, but to explain how social forces are capable of explaining much about such anti-social phenomena. It can be seen here that Durkheim’s theory of suicide can be used to explain the cultural forces perpetuating suicide within modern society, and will be furthered upon (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

As mentioned previously, Durkhiem offered an explanation for the social phenomenon of suicide, suggesting that social forces led to this very personal act. In explaining this he offered four basic types, each proposing a specific type of individual-society relationship leading to the individual act of suicide. These four types consisted of the altruistic, egoistic, anomic and fatalistic suicide (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

Durkheim described altruistic suicide as the excessive integration of the individual with his or her society and insufficient individualism. He further defined that this occurs when the individual has completely identified themselves with the society or group that their goals and identity becomes his or hers. Consequently, the individual has no autonomous existence that is separate from the particular group or society. The group holds such massive unity that each member is willing to sacrifice his or her life for the sake of the honour or survival of the group. Durkheim thought that altruistic suicide occurred more frequently in relatively small societies and in rigidly organized groups or organizations such as the army (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

Durkheim described that egoistic suicide was a result of inadequate integration of the individual resulting from very weak and tenuous ties with society. As a consequence, the individual relies on his or her own resources and rules of conduct founded on private interests all of which result in 'excessive individualism'. This ‘excessive individualism’ presence produced predispositions towards self -destructive behaviour under certain circumstances (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

Anomic suicide was a result of inadequate regulation or a sudden and unexpected change in a person's social or economic position, creating a new situation with which the individual was unable to cope. Thus both anomic and egoistic suicide was marked by society’s insufficient presence in the individual. One involved a lack of 'meaning' in genuinely collective activity and the other left individual's passion without a curb to regulate them (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

The fourth type of suicide determined by Durkheim was called fatalistic and it resulted from excessive regulation of the individual. The individual is described where they have no personal freedom, no hope and where 'passions were violently suppressed by oppressive discipline (Cuff, Sharrock & Francis. 1999, p. 150).

In conclusion, ‘//Shadow of the Day’// by Linkin Park is a great representation of suicide in young people today. This cultural artefact presents, in an appealing way reaching large audiences, how difficult living with depression can be and ultimately the possible outcomes of it. //‘Shadow of the Day’//, through the method of song, raises awareness of suicide and depression and outlines how some people find life too hard and their problems too difficult to solve, resulting in them taking their own life. This song presents this issue in a very clear manner and for me personally, highlights and recognizes the importance of this issue within today’s society and the need for greater social awareness of this issue.

The thinking process involved here has proved very successful and has positively affected my own thinking and learning process. After investigating a cultural artefact presenting a current social health issue it has allowed me a greater thinking process, challenging me to think deeper into what was previously just a song. Thinking about this song in this way, I now see this song in a new light, as a cultural artefact presenting a global issue reaching a massive audience and sending a great message. For me, I will take this deeper thinking process into other aspects of my life, where I can see something in society and think deeper about it, thereby gaining some knowledge and allowing me to form a justified opinion regarding it.

Reference List Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Suicides. //3303.0 Causes of Death, Australia 2009, 1//(1), 80-86.

Coryell, W., & Schlesser, M. (2006). Australia Tackles Male Suicide. //Perspectives in Public Health, 126//(4), 149-160.

Cuff, E. C., Sharrock, W. W., & Francis, D., W. (1999). Social facts and Suicide. //Perspectives in Sociology//, //3//(1), 104-300.

Hassan, R. (1992). Suicide in Australia: A Sociological Study. //International Journal of Social Psychiatry//, //26//(1), 1-204.

Hawton, K., & Van Heeringen, K. (2009). Suicide. //The Lancet, 373//(9672), 1372-1381.

Ruzicka, L., & Choi, C. Y. (1999). Youth Suicide in Australia. //Journal of Australian Population Association, 16//(1), 29-55.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). Statistics on Suicide in Australia. //Living is For Everyone: Fact sheet 3, 3//(1), 1-4.