Eating disorders have the highest correlation with a suicide rate of any mental illness, most commonly affecting teenagers (since data is correlational it is not possible to say with certainty that A causes B, and it is instead possible that a third variable is causing both [see Correlation and dependence]). Teenagers with Eating Disorders' suicide risk is about 15%. Perceived lack of parental interest is also a major factor in teenage suicide. According to one study, 90% of suicidal teenagers believed their families did not understand them.[20]
Depression is the most common cause of suicide. About 75% of those individuals who die by suicide are depressed. Depression is caused by a number of factors, from chemical imbalances to psychological make-up to environmental influences.[21][22] According to a 2019 survey, 50% of female pupils and one-third of high school students reported having continuous feelings of melancholy or hopelessness, a 40% rise from 2009.[23]
There is a correlation between the use of social media and the increase in mental illness and teen suicide. Recent studies are showing that there is a link between using social media platforms and depression and anxiety. A recent national survey of 1787 young adults looked at the use of 11 different social media platforms. The survey showed that the teens that used between 7 and 11 platforms were three times at risk for depression or anxiety. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide. Another problem with teens and social media is cyberbullying. When teens are on social media that can say whatever they want about anybody and they do not feel there are any repercussions for their actions. They do not have to look their victims in the eyes and see the hurt and torment they are causing. The link between cyberbullying and teen suicide is one reason that people are trying to criminalize cyberbullying. In 2011 the US Center for Disease Control showed that 13.7% of teens that reported being cyberbullied had attempted suicide.[24] A Facebook internal study found that 13.5% of teenage girls say Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse.[25]
Suicide prevention
Main article: Suicide prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a crisis line in the United States and Canada
Means reduction
A 2009 study argued that limiting young people's access to lethal means, such as firearms, has reduced means-specific suicide rates.[26][27] Child access prevention (CAP) laws were put in place with the intention to reduce gun related deaths of those under the age of 17. CAP laws first focus is on negligent storage of firearms to encourage gun owners to safely store weapons and limit accessibility. CAP laws differ from state to state, but can carry felony charges if there is an incident of negligent storage.[28]
Another focus is on the reckless provision of firearms, which refers to children being given guns, and then having an accident. These laws were a response to high volumes of children dying by suicide, crimes, and accidents, with the highest number of deaths in 1993. The highest rate was in 1993, with 4.87 children per 100,000 killed in firearm related incidents. The effects of these laws brought down firearm related incidents to 1.87 per 100,000 by 2009, which was a reduction from over 3,000 deaths to 1,400.[29]
Suicide awareness programs
School-based youth suicide awareness programs have been developed to increase high-school students' awareness of the problem, provide knowledge about the behavioral characteristics of teens at risk (i.e., screening lists), and describe available treatment or counseling resources. However, the American Surgeon General David Satcher warned in 1999 that "indiscriminate suicide awareness efforts and overly inclusive screening lists may promote suicide as a possible solution to ordinary distress or suggest that suicidal thoughts and behaviors are normal responses to stress."[30] The 1991 study Satcher cited (reference 45 in the report) for this claim, however, surveyed only two schools over 18 months, and the study's authors concluded that the suicide awareness program did not affect.[31] Satcher's claim, while it may be correct, was not based on a consensus among public health professionals. The Canadian journal of public health references nine studies being done on the effects of awareness programs on teenagers. These studies were mainly conducted in the US showing five of them having positive effects on teenagers making them more likely to seek help. However, there was one study that had a negative impact making teenagers aware that suicide was a possible option rather than dealing with their problems. This study also found that males are more likely to suggest suicide as a solution rather than females.[32]
Threats of suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention advocates taking suicide threats seriously. Seventy-five percent of all suicides are of people who have given some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.[33] SAVE, the Suicide Voices of Education Foundation, states that threats of suicide are the main warning factors for someone taking their own life. Warning factors include planning a suicide, talking about dying by suicide, or looking for weapons to harm themselves. These signs can mean that a person is in need of immediate attention from health officials or a suicide prevention organization.[34]
People who are at risk for suicide may be resistant to admit they have suicidal intentions because of the stigma that comes with mental illness. This is another obstacle of suicide prevention, because people do not want to be labeled by their mental illness. Someone who is making threats may be helped by recommending they talk to their family, religious leaders, clinical professionals, or suicide prevention organizations.[35]
Suicide survivors
SAVE refers to people who have been affected by suicide, whether a friend or family member, as suicide survivors. Suicide begets suicide, because the loss of a loved one can place that person at risk to take their own life. A 1993 study showed that suicide survivors had increased thoughts of suicide, and other psychological problems, such as PTSD. Clusters of suicides are often found in communities, because it is a mental contagion that can influence others to commit the same act.[36]
To prevent clusters, the CDC created guidelines to intervene with those affected by these incidents. The people considered to have had a close relationship with the victim should be given counseling as soon as possible, and then be referred to any additional treatment if needed. The section below list treatments for at people at Risk.[37]
Treatment
A common treatment for a young, suicidal patient is a combination of drug-based treatment, e.g. imipramine or fluoxetine, with a 'talking-based' therapy, such as referral to a cognitive behaviour therapist. This kind of therapy concentrates on modifying self-destructive and irrational thought processes.[38]
In a crisis situation, professional help can be sought, either at a hospital or a walk-in clinic. There are several telephone help numbers for help on teenage suicide, depending on one's location, by country or state. In the US, dialing 988[39] will connect to the nearest support hotline. Sometimes emergency services can be contacted.
Suicide in colleges
Further information: Suicide in colleges in the United States
In colleges and universities in the United States, suicide is one of the most common causes of death among students.[40] As of 2010, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide each year, while 1,100 students succeed in their attempt, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students.[41][42]
In 2010, roughly 12% of college students reported the occurrence of suicide ideation during their first four years in college, with 2.6% percent reporting persistent suicide ideation.[42] In 2013, 65% of college students reported that they knew someone who has either attempted or died by suicide, showing that the majority of students on college campuses are exposed to suicide or suicidal attempts.[43]
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 49% of the student population within the educational system have been diagnosed with or treated for depression.[44] A 2016 study found that underclassmen are less likely to commit suicide compared to upperclassmen due to a lack of worry over bills or work. Many are full-time students living with their parents.[45]