Children Attempting Suicide at a Younger Age

Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans each year. Many of those individuals never seek the professional care that is available to them. The 80% that do seek medical support for their depression are successful in their treatment. Federal health officials report in a 2006 study that the suicide rate among preteen and teenage girls rose to its highest level in a decade.  This statistic affects girls from ages 10-14 years of age.  The preferred method of suicide was hanging or suffocation (71%) which surpassed guns.

Suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death.  Every 15 minutes someone tries to take their own life and there are over 800,000 attempts a year. One in every 65,000 children age 10 to 14 years old will be successful with their attempt.

Suicide awareness

A study completed by the University of Washington and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that 883 youth ages 18 to 19 years old had attempted suicide. Researcher James Mazza said that 40% of the youth survey made their first attempt before entering high school. “The earliest age was nine, so that’s either third or fourth grade. There is a sharp increase at sixth grade, so that is age twelve. They continue to rise, with the peak being eighth to ninth grade.”

Mazza suggests parents and children need to have an open dialogue about their feelings and the pressures that they face daily. Parents and other caring adults should look for changes in youth such as talking about taking one’s life, feeling sad or hopeless about the future. Also look for changes in eating or sleeping habits and even losing the desire to take part in favorite activities.

Keep children safe

The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention is advising that health officials consider focusing on suicide prevention programs for girls 10-19 and boys between 15-19 years of age to reverse these startling statistics.  They also suggest that parents monitor or restrict children’s access to pills, weapons, or other lethal means of self-harm.

My experience has been that both genders are self-medicating with alcohol and drugs at a very young age to handle the pressure at home and school. Netflix has produced the series 13 Reasons Why that explores the suicide of a young woman and the events which led to her final decision. Parents should watch this show with their children to discuss the mental health perspective and the importance of asking for help when needed.

Another important intervention would be to stay emotionally connected to your child by being involved in their school activities, friends and academics.  You can also plan family time together or special outings together to keep your relationships strong.  Families that center their life on their faith and church have a strong foundation of love that also helps them endure the trials of life.  If you see that your child is struggling and drifting from your family system, you may want to seek professional help as an intervention.  Counseling could help your child cope with their anxiety and depression which can bring hope to the whole family.