Suicide rates in teens on the rise

Suicide rates for 15-19 year olds are currently the highest they’ve been in 30 years. In 2002, 147 young people aged 15-19 in England took their own lives. This went up to 198 young people in 2021. NHS data predicts that 2022 will see the highest number ever recorded as so many young people are being referred to mental health services.

Mental health problems are becoming extremely common in teenagers and more and more people are losing the battle each year. A shocking 241,791 young people had been referred to the NHS in the space of three months this year. Although rates are not as high as countries like USA and Japan, it should be taken with as much seriousness.

Some factors of why the figures are increasing include academic pressures or worries, bullying, social isolation, family environment, relationship problems, substance misuse and neglect. These are just a few of many reasons. England needs to provide more support for these young people and let them know that there are other alternatives.

This year more than any other year, it is evident that social media is the cause a lot of these deaths. Almost every 15-19 year old in England is on some form of social media, where most of the bullying takes place. Social media in young people allows space for them to suffer in silence and become easily manipulated by what they’re seeing on a screen.

Parents also need to be more educated on when their children are not acting like themselves, as becoming abused online is very common and easy now. School’s should also provide training for their teachers to identify what this would look like.

Help is available.

Samaritans (116 123)