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Youth Suicide Ages Ten to Twenty-Four

     “The rate of suicide among those aged 10-24 increased 60% between 2007 and 2018, according to a report released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”¹

     An effort is being made to understand what is happening and why, according to Anna Mueller, an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University Bloomington who studies suicides in adolescents. “I don’t buy that it’s just social media, which is one of the explanations that I most consistently see.” The suicide rate increased from 6.8 per 100,000 in 2007 to 10.7 per 100, 000 in 2018.

     In the last ten years, suicide has become increasingly more common among our youth. There are theories on drivers, the rise of social media among them, but researchers say there is not enough data to draw any conclusions. Even though there are increases in the use of social media in other countries of the world their suicide rates are not increasing.

     Suicide has replaced homicide as the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10-24. Suicide prevention experts are very much concerned about the lack of real-time data to better assess trends. They are making decisions about suicide prevention programming for 2021 and beyond based on data from deaths that occurred in 2018, according to Jonathan Singer, president of the American Association of Suicidology and associate professor at Loyola University’s School of Social Work.

     Public health experts stated that from 2000 to 2007 the youth suicide rate was relatively stable. In late 2007 the U.S. entered into an economic recession. During the recession the youth saw their parents lose their homes, and jobs. The youth had to change schools and l loose friends. Singer said, “My concern is that we will see an increase in youth suicide several years down the line following the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

      “A CDC survey in August of 2020 on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Americans’ mental health found 75% of respondents 18-24 reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom. Twenty-five percent of respondents in this age group seriously considered suicide in the 30 days before completing the survey.”²

     Some other stressors are: (1) climate change, (2) the economic recession, (3) school shootings, and (4) the ever-increasing costs of college. Many children, experts say, are struggling to imagine their futures.

     “Spotty mental health screening, poor access to mental health services and stigma may also be obstacles to getting help to those considering suicide.”³

     “What is needed is something akin to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which looked at a nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7 through 12 during the 1994-1995 school year and followed them into young adulthood. A study of this kind would help public health experts better understand what may be driving the increases and how to intervene,” Mueller said.

     Adolescence is a vulnerable time, experts say. It’s when children are developing their sense of self- who they are and who they can be. They experience so many changes at once. Environmental and physical changes can weaken safety nets.

     There are unique circumstances that trigger suicide among different populations. “We absolutely need to be really careful to not think about suicide as just a white kid problem. It’s absolutely not. Kids across racial and ethnic groups and sexual orientations experience suicidal thoughts are not uncommon, especially among young people,” Mueller said.

     “It is fairly normal for kids to have thoughts of suicide at times during adolescence and early adulthood. We need to be prepared to talk about it openly,” Mueller said.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

     ¹Dastagir, Alia E. (September 2020). “More young people are dying by suicide, and experts aren’t sure why”. U.S.A. Today.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/11/youth-suicide-rate-increases-cdc-report-finds/3463549001/

     ²Ibid.

     ³Ibid.

Signed: Renee D. Warring Founder of Uniquely and Wonderfully Made Ministries