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If you think the news is filled with more and more stories about young people taking their own lives, you’re sadly not wrong. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tracked an alarming increase in teen suicide rates from 2007 to 2015. During that time, suicide among boys increased by 31 percent and doubled among girls ages 15 to 19 (that’s a 40-year high), going from 2.4 deaths per 100,000 teen girls in 2007 to 5.1 in 2015. Wow.
Suicide expert Thomas Simon attributes possible causes to a history of substance abuse, stigmas attached to mental health issues and even the economic stress many families are facing.
While those factors can affect both girls and boys, researchers published a study last year in Pediatrics saying girls may be exposed to more depression risk factors. The study cites a possible link between increased phone app usage and a higher rate of exposure to cyberbullying.
While depression is clearly a mounting issue, the study also pointed out there’s been a decrease in mental health treatment across the board.
If you think your child may be at risk, try talking to your teen, or reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional for advice. The US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) is also available 24/7 at no charge and can be reached online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
