Suicide in Literature: How Opening the Conversation in Classrooms Could Save Lives

Suicide is the second leading cause of death from ages 10-24. In the United States, an average of over 3,470 young adults in grades 9-12 attempt suicide every day. So why is Romeo and Juliet the only literature taught in high school classrooms that involves suicide? The current English curriculum is severely lacking in content pertaining to modern day issues, suicide being one of them. The following is a proposed unit on suicide in literature, to be taught at the 9th grade level. Studies show that 4 out of 5 students who attempt suicide display clear warning signs, so this unit is designed to educate students on warning signs, mental health, to open the conversation about suicide, and provide students with resources that could save lives