Suicidal Ideation in Children and Teens

Suicide is on the rise in children & teens. Every generation of children and teens has had their share of stress, anxiety, and depression.

All generations have experienced common challenges, such as navigating the turbulence of strong emotions, working on their self-esteem, figuring out who they are, managing school and parental pressures, becoming autonomous from their parents, making tough life decisions, and managing different types of relationships in their lives. 

However, even before COVID, we have seen epidemic increases of stress, anxiety, social disconnection, loneliness, identity and body issues, feelings of helplessness and worthlessness, depression, and suicidal ideation in our children and youth – sometimes referred to as Generation Z - far more than any other generations in our history.

Suicidal ideation is a major concern that must be addressed immediately. After all, according to the 2017 studies by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., suicide is on the rise in our children and youth and is the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10-24.

The Telltale Signs of Suicidal Ideation

Every child and teen exhibits suicidal ideation differently. While some may share how they are feeling, others may hide their feelings. Nonetheless, there are several telltale signs to look out for, including:

• Threats or talking about wanting to die, to hurt or kill themselves, or to disappear;
• Changes in personality;
• Changes in mood or behavior, such as:
• Sleeping or eating less or more than usual;
• Dramatic change in appearance and/or hygiene;
• Isolating themselves from family and friends;
• Significant mood swings;
• Aggressive outbursts;
• Reckless behaviors;
• Excessive fatigue;
• Physiological symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. 
• Changes in their engagement in different contexts, such as a loss of interest in doing activities they used to enjoy doing, a lack of interest in school, or a decrease in their school performance; 
• A low sense of worth, expressions of failure or shame, a loss of hope for the future, or the belief that things will always “suck”;
• An increased interest in death, such as looking up ways to die, writing or drawing about death, or talking about what would happen if they died (and if others would be better off); 
• Giving or throwing away their favorite things.

The Unique Stressors Faced by Generation Z

The most unique stressor for today’s generation is the level of exposure they have to information. Generation Z were born into the digital era and are always connected to the world through technology. Screen use has become a major source of stress for our children and teens and, the more time they spend on screens, the greater the risk for developing a mental health disorder. Indeed, researchers have shown a direct correlation with an increase in smartphone use and depression, with a spike in 2015, at which time more than 92% of teens owned a smartphone ( Twenge, 2017; Twenge et al., 2018). According to a 2018 study by Twenge and Campbell, even an hour of daily screen time can limit kids’ level of curiosity, self-control, and emotional stability. 

Additionally, our kids are far more affected by the current state of the world than any other generation. We have developed a global culture of fear over the years and our kids have immediate access to our crisis-saturated world. They are constantly bombarded with the local and world news on everything from politics to health care, to mass shootings, to discrimination, and to climate change far more than other generations, which negatively affects their mental well-being.

Social media makes matters worse because it has contributed to a world of constant comparison and perpetuates pressures to be perfect in every area of life, including school achievements, appearances, and happiness levels; all of which contribute to feelings of inadequacy and depression. Our children and teens experience high levels of stress about maintaining a perfect online image and keeping up with friends and end up spending all their time trying to post what they think everyone will think is perfect.  

There is also this fear of missing out (FOMO) that comes with social media use. The more time they spend on social media, the more they feel excluded (which also contributes to depression and suicidal ideation). They become so preoccupied with everything happening online they don’t have any time left to live their own life in the moment, to build meaningful relationships, and to do the things kids are meant to do. Like play. Read. Ride their bikes. Connect with friends. Our kids have lost the carefree, playful childhood other generations have enjoyed.  

How To Talk to Your Teen About Suicide

Asking is the best way to find out if a child or teen experiences suicidal ideation. Don’t wait for them to talk. Yes, these conversations can be very uncomfortable; however, they are so important to have. By doing so, you show empathy, you show that you care, you validate their feelings, and you let them know that it’s okay to ask for help. 

The most important thing anyone can do is to listen. By doing so, you help create a safe space to allow them to share if they want to. Often, simply sitting next to them in silence is the best support they need. Let them know that you are there for them and validate their feelings. You can ask them to let you know if there is something they need or want from you, but don’t give unsolicited advice. Similarly, do not ask them loads of questions. And, most importantly, do not dismiss their experiences and stressors. Even if their stressors seem like a “little deal” to you, the stress is a big deal to them. And, they do not have the brain resources and coping mechanisms to help them manage the stress and big emotions in their life effectively. 

Finally, consider monitoring and adapting access to screens and social media while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Even cutting back half an hour of screen time a day can create a major positive shift in our kids’ emotional well-being. All children and teens need to engage in different activities, so help them use that extra time to develop healthy sleep habits, to exercise daily, to create, to play and do things they enjoy, and to spend time with friends and family. These activities are critical for their overall social, emotional, and physical well-being.

If you are concerned your child or teen is feeling suicidal, do not ignore the warning signs. Seek professional help. If unsure of where to go, ask your family doctor for recommendations. If you need immediate help, call emergency services and/or a suicide hotline.

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