Photo Courtesy of Hallie Schlutz
In 2021, over 48,000 people died by suicide; every 11 minutes there is one death.
“Suicide rates increased approximately 36 percent between 2000–2021. Suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide.,” the CDC said.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death from the ages 15-24 and 25-34, but suicide thoughts, plans, and attempts increase for the ages 18-25. When someone is talking about suicide, it’s a plea for help and could also be a sign of a suicide attempt that will happen.
“The teen years are a stressful time. They are filled with major changes. These include body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and doubt may influence a teen’s problem-solving and decision-making. He or she may also feel a pressure to succeed.,” Johns Hopkins Medicine said.
When getting older, becoming a teen can be a lot to handle. Going to school, having a job, or both can be demanding and agitating. There are many warning signs of teen suicide: changes in sleep or eating habits, acting out or running away, alcohol and drug use, obsessing with death, and substantially more.
“Threats of suicide are a cry for help. Always take such statements, thoughts, behaviors, or plans very seriously. Any teen who expresses thoughts of suicide should be evaluated right away” Johns Hopkins Medicine said.
Suicide should always be taken seriously whether it’s in teens or adults. Suicide can be prevented, but it starts with you. If you know someone who you believe has been thinking about suicide or who has attempted suicide, don’t be afraid to reach out and call the suicide hotline number or even reach out to a family member or trusted adult.
“The most important thing to remember is that if something feels off or if a person is not acting like themselves, either talk to that friend about what is going on or if one feels uncomfortable talking to their friend, then talk to a trusted adult who can then help,” Hastings High School school psychologist, Kim Benorden said.
“Research has found that 46 percent of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition. Several other factors may put a person at risk of suicide, including but not limited to: a family history of suicide, substance use (drugs can create mental highs and lows that worsen suicidal thoughts), intoxication (analysis from the CDC indicates around one in five people who die by suicide had alcohol in their system at the time of death), access to firearms, a serious or chronic medical illness, gender (although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide), a history of trauma or abuse, prolonged stress, a recent tragedy or loss.” Benorden said.
Suicide can be prevented. Evidence shows that by providing support services, speaking up about suicide, reducing any access to self-harm, and following up on the ones you love, we can all take action to help one another. By starting conversations and providing the support that’s needed, we all can put an end to suicide and save lives.
