A study by Psychology Today found that for every 100,000 people 15-19 years of age, 16.1 men and 5.3 women committed suicide in 2021.The last time the numbers were this high was in 1990 when 18.1 men and 3.7 women committed suicide. Several reasons have lead to this point.
For every 100,000 people 15-19 years of age, 16.1 men and 5.3 women committed suicide in 2021. A study by Psychology Today found that the last time the numbers were this high was in 1990 when 18.1 men and 3.7 women committed.
September is suicide prevention month. While people should teach and learn about mental health all year around, September is dedicated to focusing on this issue..
“Life’s been rough. Life’s always been rough. That’s what I’m sure every kid has been told from the very beginning of their life,” said freshman Nate Kershman. He, like many others, has dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts throughout his life.
“I take medicine for depression and have multiple different reasons I have been depressed, and just like any person you ask, it’s pretty much been on and off and it comes at random times that seem completely unrelated for a multitude of reasons,” Kershman said. In the past, there has been a stigma about taking medicine or getting help for depression, but people are more accepting of it today.
There are a number of reasons why a teen may feel depressed. Social media has been found to affect teens in a bad way when used for too long. Cyberbullying and addiction can lead to depression. Teens may become obsessed with likes and followers, NBC found.
“It [social media] can cause depression and make you think about your value. Rumors may be spread and feelings could be hurt,” sophomore Lyric Gleason said. “Overall, it’s a bad thing.”
Laws restricting the rights of queer youth adds a layer of stress on them, while police brutality and racially motivated hate crimes hurt people of color. A CBS news study showed that suicide among black teens had gone up 144% from 2007-2020.
Suicide is typically caused by a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. Mental Health America found that around 15% of teens from 12-17 had at least one major depressive episode in 2022. According to NBC news, women, Hispanic people, and multiracial people have been reported to be more likely to have depression.
Fortunately, everyone can help combat depression and suicide. Feeling depressed is normal, especially for a teenager, but there are things anyone can do if they or someone they know is feeling suicidal.
“Honestly, it’s not just family; it’s friends or random strangers who say hello with an upbeat attitude who don’t know you and know nothing about you but are willing to spend two seconds of their time to go, ‘hi. How are you doing?’”
The willingness to express care and concern for another human being can make a big difference even if you are unaware. The willingness to express care and concern for another human being can make a big difference. Even without knowing that person or their problems, one can convey that others are willing to help and listen.
“The advice is to seek help,” freshman counselor Jamesell Kee said. “If you are experiencing thoughts or someone close to you is experiencing those thoughts, seek the help, seek the adults in our building.”
Simply talking to someone can help a person see that they are not alone and get the advice and support they need.
“The longer you keep it inside and mask it, the longer you are putting it on yourself to deal with it…From personal experience, I can tell you right now, the people you think don’t care will be the first ones to respond to your text,” said Kershman.
The suicide healthline is also a resource that provides free and confidential help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone who wants to talk can call the 988 suicide healthline.
“Don’t feel like you have to handle it yourself. Talk to the adults in your life who you trust,” said Kee.
