
And they might think they’d rather be dead than feel the way they do at that moment in time, she adds. “Teens don’t have the life experience to know that these things will be temporary, that they’ll get through it,” Pearson says. These can include a breakup with a romantic partner, trouble at school, violence, or conflicts with friends. Teens also experience many stressful life events for the first time. Other risk factors include a family history of suicide, violence, or substance abuse. Most people who die by suicide have struggled with a mental health condition. One major risk factor is experiencing a mental health issue like depression, anxiety, or trauma. Many things can increase the risk of suicide in teenagers.
#WHOS IN TEEN SUICIDE BAND HOW TO#
“We’re trying to figure out how to make those treatments more accessible for more youth.” Who’s at Risk? “There are some very effective treatments for youth who are suicidal,” Pearson explains. But NIH-funded researchers are working on better ways to find and help teens who are thinking of suicide. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults in the United States.Įxperts don’t know why this rate has been rising. The rate of teen suicide has increased over the last decade. Jane Pearson, a mental health expert at NIH. The idea that a teen could be thinking about ending that life might be hard for their friends, families, or other people in their community to believe.īut the risk of suicide should be on the radar of anyone who interacts with teens, says Dr. Teenagers have their whole lives ahead of them, they’re often told.
