Why Are Suicide Rates Increasing Among Teens? Experts Explain

Suicide rates among teens have surprisingly increased over the past decade. Are you a parent? It might not only be a concern to you but a terrifying aspect to ensure the mental stability of your child. There can be multiple reasons tempting your child to suicide. Understanding those will help you deal with your child better. Young kids often fail to express their problems out of fear, which can build up and affect their minds significantly. As a parent, you should always ensure that your child considers you a friend. Let us know about the factors that experts think to be the leading contributors to increasing suicides among teens in this blog.

Social Media And Cyberbullying

You will hardly find teenagers today who don’t use social media. Although social media has numerous advantages, there are few opposing sides. Multiple games are linked to social media, creating a competitive environment. Forget about your child; no one can always stay on the leaderboard. Constant failures while participating in online games can lead to loneliness, depression, and inadequacy. Recently, cyberbullying has also been another factor that can lead your child to commit suicide. Your kid will only express their problems if they consider you their friend. You can also seek assistance from a professional behavioral school for teens.

Mental Health Stigma And Lack of Access To Resources

Forget about teens; many adults still hold themselves back from seeking professional assistance for mental problems out of stigma. It can be a silent barrier for your child to receive help. Embarrassment and shame are the key factors that restrict teens to open up. Although most schools have mental counselors, they might be in enough numbers to deal with multiple cases. Hence, there is a lack of professionals who can speak with your child to make them feel better.

Academic And Social Pressure

The pressure to succeed in life can be life-threatening for teens. Do you know even social pressures can lead your child to commit suicide? Parents should avoid having extremely high expectations from their children. You should only focus on raising your child to be a gentleman. Let him decide what he wants to be in the future. Pressure from schools can also harm the mental peace of your child. Relentless pressures lead to failures, which further can be a primary factor for your child’s depression and anxiety.

Family Dynamics And Home Environment

The first steps of a teen’s emotional well-being start from their home. Multiple reports suggest that those kids facing abuse and neglect are at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts. Young ones should always feel loved, cared for, and supported to avoid feeling unwanted. Parent’s behavior in front of kids can significantly influence their decision-making. The absence of a proper support system at home can make teens feel hopeless and trapped. Ensure that your child recognizes you as their friend and support system.

Media Sensationalism and Desensitization

The media plays a significant role in shaping societal views and attitudes toward suicide. Unfortunately, media coverage often sensationalizes suicide, which can create a phenomenon known as "suicide contagion." This occurs when teens are influenced by media portrayals of suicide, leading them to believe that ending their lives is a viable option. Moreover, the graphic depiction of suicide in movies, TV shows, and news stories can desensitize young people to the severity of the issue.

Understanding and Addressing the Rise in Teen Suicide Rates

Early interventions and open conversations are always key to the elimination of suicidal thoughts in teens. Parents should always focus on being friends with their children. Your child will only share their problems with you if they don’t fear judgment and punishment. Parents and teachers should not over-expect and pressurize teens; instead, they should let them adapt naturally. As a parent, you should always be extra attentive to your child. Contact a behavioral school immediately if you detect behavioral issues in your child.