Jacquelin Esque, MD
photo: Jamie Manser
Young people ages 10 to 24 years old account for 15% of all suicides. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children between 10 and 14, and the third leading cause of death for teens and young adults (ages 15 to 24). Data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) shows that suicide rates for young people ages 10 to 24 increased 62% from 2007-2021, reaching 11 deaths per 100,000. Youth most impacted are non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Natives with a suicide rate of 36.3 per 100,0000 as well as youth who identify as sexual minorities. In 2021, 26.3% of high school students identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual reported attempting suicide in the prior 12 months.
How can you help a child or teen if you are concerned that they are thinking about suicide?
Be mindful of risk factors.
- Recent loss or death of a loved one, bullying or discrimination, experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, financial stress, suicide of a friend/classmate, self-harming behavior, and recent major life events can all be potential risk factors.
Watch for warning signs.
- Talking about wanting to die, actively looking for ways to kill themselves (searching online, purchasing a gun), talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden on others, increase in substance use and other risky or reckless behaviors, isolating from friends and family, and extreme mood changes may be some warning signs that your loved one is suffering and at higher risk for suicidal thoughts.
Listen and support.
- Let the child or teen know you are there to listen and to support them in an empathetic and nonjudgmental manner. Don’t be afraid to ask directly if someone is feeling suicidal, this will not put the thoughts in their head. Never dismiss or ignore when a child or teen talks about wanting to die.
Make a safety plan.
- Help the child or teen identify coping skills, supports, and steps to take if suicidal thoughts come up. Include information about crisis resources including the 24/7 988 suicide & crisis lifeline as well as specialized crisis support lines like the Trevor Project crisis line (1-866-488-7386) which can connect youth with a specialized LGBTQ counselor.
Increase the safety of the home environment.
- Suicide attempts with firearms are almost always fatal and most commonly teens use guns found in their own home. The safest option is to remove all firearms and ammunition from the home. If this is not possible, the second-best option is safe home storage –lock unloaded guns and ammunition and store them separately. Keep medications locked and reduce the total volume of medications on hand. Consider other potential weapons, alcohol, illicit drugs, cleaners/poisons and keep them locked or out of the home.
Assist the youth in finding mental health treatment.
- Help the child/teen get seen by their primary care provider, psychiatrist, or mental health therapist. Schools and national suicide hotlines can help provide guidance as well on next steps and resources. The Arizona Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line can help PCPs identify resources and treatment mental health conditions in their patients. If you are concerned about imminent risk, go to the local emergency department, crisis center, or call emergency services at 988 right away.
References
Curtin SC, Garnett MF. Suicide and homicide death rates among youth and young adults aged 10–24: United States, 2001–2021. NCHS Data Brief, no 471. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2023. DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.15620/cdc:128423. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr034.pdf
Sigel EJ, Rahmandar MH. Suicide Prevention: 12 Things Parents Can Do. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 7.2023. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/ten-things-parents-can-do-to-prevent-suicide.aspx
Health Disparities in Suicide. CDC Suicide Prevention. May 16, 20204. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/disparities/index.html
Youth and We Can All Prevent Suicide. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/