teen news from OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2007
HealthTeen Suicide on the Rise
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the teen suicide rate is increasing across the United States and the Netherlands. The year 2004 saw an increase of 8% over 2003.
Dr. Ileana Arias, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, said, “This is the biggest annual increase that we’ve seen in 15 years. We don’t yet know if this is a short-lived increase or if it’s the beginning of a trend. Either way, it’s a harsh reminder that suicide and suicide attempts are affecting too many youth and young adults.”
The suicide rate is especially increasing among girls ages 10 to 14. Some link this to a decrease in the prescription of antidepressants; others say antidepressants increase the risk of suicide among certain individuals.
Other facts relating to the rising suicide rate include growing alcohol and drug use, lack of sleep, peer pressure, stress and low self-esteem.
In a CDC study of teens in grades 9 through 12
- 17% of the students say they have considered suicide
- 3% reported they have devised a plan to commit suicide
- 8% have attempted suicide. In the average class of 30 students, this equates to approximately 2.4 people having attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
Another factor is the ever-growing trend of suffocating oneself by hanging. The intent is to experience a drug-like high. There have been several recent news reports of teens who died from this irresponsible act.
From 2003 to 2004, the amount of girls who used hanging as the method of suicide rose 119%.
The CDC is working on implementing a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention program, with the goal of increasing the amount of communication between troubled teens and counselors to improve attitudes, policies and services.
The reality is that teens have some of the greatest blessings to enjoy and “easy” lives to live—like no other time in history. Instead of playing sports, developing personalities, communicating with their parents, learning skills and making the most of their youthful years, teens of this world are choosing to end their lives.