The National Center for Health Statistics released an alarming study about Suicide on Friday which revealed that the rate among girls ages 10 to 14 has tripled since 1999.
The number of girls who killed themselves rose to 150 in 2014 from 50 in 1999.
“This one certainly jumped out,” said Sally Curtin, a statistician at the center and an author of the report.
It’s starting but also to note that the suicide rate, generally, in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, in every age group except older adults.
Sadly, suicide is a problem for younger people in general.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year. For every suicide among young people, there are at least 100 suicide attempts. Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it.
There really needs to be a comprehensive assessment as to why suicides have increased so much among tween girls.
We believe the advent of social media and its use as a tool for online bullying and the pressure for acceptance and “likes” may be determined to have something to do with it.
We’ll be on the look out for more data and research on this topic.
In the meantime, please visit Suicide Prevention Lifeline for clues or signs that someone you know is thinking of suicide. And if that person is you, please seek help and counseling.
Tomorrow is not promised to everyone, but it is a fact that there will be brighter days ahead and you need to live to see them.