Suicide rates for people age 10 to 24 increased by 62% from 2007 through 2021, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For years, health officials have warned that young people in the U.S. are struggling with their mental health. In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on youth mental health.
“The challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate,” he said. “And the effect these challenges have had on their mental health is devastating.”
Suicide is described by the CDC as “death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die,” and from around 2001 to 2007 rates for young people were stable. Then, from 2007 through 2018 it tripled, said the CDC data. This mirrors other research that found the proportion of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%; and share seriously considering attempting suicide increased by 36% from 2009 to 2019.
“Scientists have proposed various hypotheses to explain these trends,” said Murthy’s advisory. “While some believe that the trends in reporting of mental health challenges are partly due to young people becoming more willing to openly discuss mental health concerns, other researchers point to the growing use of digital media, increasing academic pressure, limited access to mental health care, health risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, and broader stressors such as the 2008 financial crisis, rising income inequality, racism, gun violence, and climate change,” as well as the COVID-19 pandemic as factors.
This year, Murthy also issued advisories about the effects of social media use on youth mental health and about an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S.
“Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence, the CDC explained. “For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk. Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.”
Like Murthy, the CDC identifies death by suicide as a serious public health problem. It said that in 2021, 48,183 people died by suicide, equal to around one death every 11 minutes.
“Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive public health approach,” said the CDC, which developed the Suicide Prevention Resource for Action to help prevent suicides. Other resources are available for those struggling with mental health, or who know someone who is.
These include Audacy’s annual “I’m Listening” initiative and 988, the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
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