Youth Suicides on an Upward Trend

talBeing a teen isn't easy—it's a time of growing self-identity, pressure to fit in socially and to perform academically accompanied by the awakening of sexual feelings, which can bring about a great deal of confusion and anxiety. And life can feel even more difficult for teens that have additional problems to deal with, such as living in violent or abusive environments or experiencing a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. For a growing number of teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress. After more than a decade of declines, there was an 18 percent increase in suicide rates for American youth under age 19 in 2004, with the trend persisting in 2005, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So, what is fueling this spike in youth suicide?
Jeff Bridge, an investigator in the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues studied suicide trends among adolescents from the National Vital Statistics Systems at the CDC. They found that, based on suicide rate trends from 1996 to 2003, the rates of suicide among youths aged 10 to 19 were higher in 2004 and 2005 than had been expected. In 2004, there were 326 more suicides than expected and in 2005, there were 292 more suicides than expected. "This is significant, because pediatric suicide rates in the U.S. had been declining steadily for a decade until 2004, when the suicide rate among U.S. youth younger than 20 years of age increased by 18 percent, the largest single-year increase in the past 15 years," Bridge said.
Some experts believe the increase could be due to the reluctance of doctors to prescribe anti-depressant medications after a public health advisory issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October of 2003 warned health care providers of an increased risk of suicide attempts or suicide-related behavior among children and teens taking SSRI's, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Since the warning and subsequent label revisions, there has been a 20 percent decline in the drugs' use. Dr. David Fassler, a psychiatry professor at the University of Vermont, who wasn't involved in the new study, said the report suggests a "very disturbing" upward trend that correlates with a decline in teen use of antidepressants, according to the Associated Press. Dr. Fassler is among those who believe the drugs' benefits, including treating depression that is the leading cause of suicide, outweigh their risks.
Bridge said that, while a link between the warnings and suicide risks has not been established, there are other factors that could be contributing to the increase in youth suicides. They include the influence of Internet social networking sites, an increase in suicide among U.S. troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, higher rates of untreated or undiagnosed depression, and access to firearms. Nearly 60 percent of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. "We now need to consider the possibility that this increase is an indicator of an emerging public health crisis. Studies to identify causal factors are important next steps," he added.
Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women and Families, also thinks that untreated depression may play a role in the increased suicide rate, but says there are other reasons as well. For older teens, the increase may be due in part to the sour economy. "When the economy is bad, and jobs are harder to find, it's a tough time for kids who are trying to get a job," she said. Zuckerman also noted the stressors of getting into college and being able to afford it. However, overall, she thinks that children are more isolated, even from their families, than ever before. "Kids and family members are spending more and more time apart," she said. "Apart might mean being on the computer. Kids and their families are not watching TV together, they're not eating meals together, they are not talking to each other nearly as much."
Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, according to the CDC, surpassed only by accidents and homicide. The reasons behind a teen's suicide or attempted suicide can be complex and while it can be difficult for adults to remember how it felt to be a teen-to be caught in that gray area between childhood and adulthood-parents should be aware of the signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves. Many of the signs and symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression:Change in eating and sleeping habitsWithdrawal from friends, family and regular activitiesViolent actions, rebellious behavior, or running awayDrug and alcohol useUnusual neglect of personal appearanceMarked personality changeLoss of interest in pleasurable activitiesPersistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolworkFrequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, and fatigueNot tolerating praise or rewards
They may also talk about suicide or death or "going away," or talk about feeling hopeless or guilty. If one or more of these signs occurs, parents should talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help from a physician or a qualified mental health professional. With an adequate support network of family and friends, along with appropriate treatment, children and teens that are suicidal can heal and return to a healthier path of development.
The study findings were published in the September 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.