Suicide Increase Among Children, Teens, Young Adults Quite Alarming

Suicide on the Rise Among Children, Teens, and Young Adults

Dr. Uchenna Umeh, MD, known to her friends and patients as Dr. Lulu joins this week’s episode of Living in the Solution to discuss her journey in continuing to bring awareness about suicide in children, teens, and young adults. As they discuss, Dr. Lulu tends to focus her online courses and teachings on the importance of building and maintaining communication between parents and teens and how such showcases the positive effects of parenting and the home environment on suicide prevention.

According to the most recent findings of CDC, the data shows that suicide now ranks as the second leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 24, presently sitting at 18% or nearly one in five and just trailing unintentional injury/accidents. 

Further, whilst many people believe that mental health conditions are the leading cause of suicide. The truth however, is that being depressed is not the only cause of suicide. Thereto some other possible causes may include:

• Physical or mental health conditions
• Depression or a mental illness of a family member
• Child abuse or neglect
• ADHD, depression, anxiety, or any other mental or behavioral disorder in a child
• Physical illness or injury
• Chemical poisoning or poisoning by drugs
• Substance abuse

Suicide Among Young Racial & Sexual Minorities Also Trending Higher

Moreover in a comprehensive study released by the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which covers the period between 1991 to 2017, young black boys & girls are more likely than their peer groups to either attempt self-harm or suicide. A similar trend is also seen among LGBTQ+ youth. 

Suicide Prevention

If you know a friend or family member or you yourself are contemplating suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255). Your family, neighbors, and the world need you and the light you can bring to build a better tomorrow, no matter how dark the tunnel may appear at present.
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