TW: Suicide, method, depression
Preteen suicide is steadily increasing every year and most pronounced among girls ages 8 to 12.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found rates of preteen suicide have increased approximately 8 percent annually since 2008.
Despite efforts to reduce annual suicide rates by national nonprofit organizations, it seems the opposite is unfortunately true.
Researchers believe age-appropriate and culturally responsive prevention efforts are needed. These efforts should include suicide risk screening and lethal means safety counseling.
The findings also highlight the need to identify and help preteens who may be at risk for suicide.
The researchers found:
- Female preteens had a disproportionate increase in suicide rate compared to male preteens
- Suicide by female preteens has grown from the 11th leading cause of death to the 5th leading cause of death
- Suicide by male preteens has not significantly changed – remains the 5th leading cause of death
- Black preteens had the highest overall suicide rate
- Hispanic preteens had the greatest percent increase in suicide rate
- Hanging and suffocation were the most common suicide methods, but firearms were the most rapidly increasing suicide method
The researchers reviewed suicide deaths overall by sex, race, ethnicity, method, area and geographic region using data from the Centers for Disease Control reporting system.
Deaths by suicide are often underreported and classified as something else such as a drug overdose or accidental death.
The research findings were published today in JAMA Network Open.
Backing up the data
An analysis by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association found the number of youth visiting the emergency room due to anxiety and depression has increased with more than 3,000 visits per quarter in Virginia alone.
The analysis showed that the majority of pediatric visits were by females which made of 68.74 percent of visits.
Another study by UVA researchers found the number of pediatric cases of suicide for both intentional and unintentional (incorrect dosing for example) on the rise.
Christopher Holstege, MD, director of the UVA Health Blue Ridge Poison Center told AFP that he believes thoughts of suicide could be linked to COVID and its aftermath and social media.
At UVA, he said, they are looking at ways to promote overall well-being in response to rising numbers of suicidal ideation.
“It’s a challenging time, and we have to really look at this from the mental health crisis and how we’re going to try to mitigate the substance use crisis that’s out there right now too.”
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
For local mental health resources, visit AFP’s Project Mental Health page.
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Crystal Graham
