Epstein, G & Robles, F. (1995, November 8). "Teens found in canal." Miami Herald, p. 1A. Herald Staff Editorial. "Teen lovers’ suicide." (1995, November 9). Miami Herald. p. 26A, wire reports.

OVERVIEW

Two eighth graders, good looking and on the honor roll, decided to take their lives when they were forbidden by parents to see each other. Both had come to the U.S. as small children, he from Mexico, she from Nicaragua. They lived in the same neighborhood and had been in seventh grade pre-algebra class together. The two were constantly together, friends said, often hugging and very happy. Their parents objected because it did not seem right for them to be so tied to each other at such a young age.

The statistics are grim. Nationally, there has been a 400% increase in teenage suicide since 1915. Between 1980 and 1992, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports a 120% increase among 10-14-year-olds and 28% increase among 15-18-year olds. Suicides among African American males (15-18) during that time has soared by 165%. When you consider that many accidents, and even some homicides, are fed by suicidal impulses, it is clear that suicide is becoming a prime cause of death among young people.

A closer look at Maryling Flores (age 13) and Christian Davila (age 14) is more difficult than reading statistics. They were bright and had much to live for. Maryling and her mother feared she was pregnant, though tests in the autopsy revealed she was not. She wrote more than a dozen suicide notes as she faced being forbidden to see Christian. For example,

To Mom and Dad,

You’ll never be able to understand the love between me and Christian. I feel that without him I can’t live...You don’t let me see him in this world...Please don’t cry for me, this is what I want.

Christian wrote similarly in a single note left in his bedroom:

I’ve lost Maryling. That’s something that hurts me very deep inside of my heart. I’ve put my best into these 14 years I’ve been on this hellhole called Earth. I’m escaping from the realm of reality into the darkness of the unknown. And as the immortal Beethoven once said: ‘Applaud, friends, the comedy is over. I love you all.’ (Actually, the quote by Ruggiero Leoncavallo in his opera, "I Paglicacci.")

It seems clear that both young people expected to be together and better off in what they considered "a higher level of reality."

Among the many factors that induce suicide is "the copy cat" tendency. A month before a young teenage couple had jumped to their deaths in Oklahoma City. It is not known if Christian and Maryling were aware of that. A psychiatrist at the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital in Gainesville warned parents: "Children see the outpouring of grief and love for someone who has taken their own life" and can want that for themselves.

They lived just blocks apart in Sweetdale of Dade County. Sometime, probably in the early hours of Sunday morning, Christian and Maryling sneaked out of their homes and presumably jumped hand in hand from a canal bridge to the waters about 15 feet below. Neither could swim. Their bodies were found two days later. Investigating detective, Ramon Quintero, concluded: "It’s a Romeo and Juliet story. This is as sad a case as you can find."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Have you ever contemplated taking your own life? Do you know anyone who has attempted or succeeded in committing suicide? How have you dealt with this?
2. How would you describe the different types of suicide? What kind of suicide was this?
3. What do you think explains the rapid rise of suicide among young people in our society?
4. How would you advise parents of young people who are at risk of taking their own lives?
5. What is the best way to deal with suicidal teenagers?
6. What can we do after a suicide has taken place?

IMPLICATIONS

• We must face the fact that teenage anger and depression are on the rise and have been for many years. Then, we ought to consider the systemic and relational aspects of this reality. How can the teenage environment be cleaned up (that is, by making suicide a public health issue and limiting the forces that encourage such lethal behavior)? How can we all relate more effectively to them?
• Today’s society is not only hurting young people, it is seducing them into confusing fantasy and reality. These two young teenagers were certain they would be better off dead somewhere else. The media gives us the impression that death is not final and that we can manipulate realities to suit our fantasies. Romantic suicides especially are encouraged by such confusion. Without solid relationships with more mature persons, teenagers cannot gain adequate wisdom and end up hurting themselves.
• All those who care about young people need training in suicide prevention. One of the most effective means of prevention is peer leadership or counseling training, since friends are the primary influence on teenagers’ lives. This article would be a good case study for such training.

Dean Borgman cCYS