The Silent Crisis

The Staggering Numbers Surrounding Suicide in Youths

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and promote mental health support. While suicide affects people of all ages, a recent and alarming trend has emerged, a significant increase in suicide rates among children in the United States.  

Findings put out by the National Institute of Mental Health show that suicide rates for U.S. children 8 to 12 years old has steadily climbed in the past decade and a half, with a rise among girls. To combat this crisis, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged healthcare providers to screen all teenagers for suicide risk in 2022. Despite this extra precaution of the screenings, the numbers have seen an increase. So, what warning signs should parents and caregivers be on the lookout for when it comes to suicide prevention? 

The National Institute of Mental Health lists out warning signs of suicide which could include: 

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves 

• Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live 

• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions 

• Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain 

• Talking about being a burden to others 

• Withdrawing from family and friends 

• Giving away important possessions 

• Saying goodbye to friends and family 

• Putting affairs in order, such as making a will 

• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast 

• Talking or thinking about death often (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). 

The institute also explains how suicide is not a normal response to stress, and highlights five steps you can take to help someone: 

1. Ask – “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” 
2. Keep them safe – Reduce access to lethal items or places. 
3. Be there – Listen carefully and acknowledge their feelings. 
4. Help them connect – Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (988). 
5. Stay connected – Follow up and stay in touch after a crisis. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). 

No matter the crisis, there is always help. Healthcare Highways promotes open communication with mental health providers. When you access our provider search tool, you can access a wide variety of mental health specialists. Health isn’t just taking care of your physical health.  

Sources: 

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). AAP urges suicide screening despite USPSTF call for more research. AAP News. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org
2. National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Increases found in preteen suicide rate. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov 
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Suicide prevention. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention 
4. Suicide in US Preteens Aged 8 to 12 Years, 2001 to 2022. (n.d.). JAMA Network Open, JAMA Network. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com