Death of 9-year-old Denver student reflects increase in youth suicides

The death last week of a fourthgrader at Joe Shoemaker Elementary School stands out, in part, because of his age: Jamel Myles was 9 years old when he killed himself.

But his death also highlights the growing number of youths dying by suicide across the nation. While it’s not as common with individuals as young as Jamel, suicide has become one of the leading causes of death among youths between the ages of 10 and 24.

“Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common,” said Dr. Justin Ross, a psychologist at UCHealth. “Nine years old is quite young, and I think that’s what makes it so shocking to the community here.”

Jamel died by suicide on Thursday. His mother, Leia Pierce, said he came out as gay this summer and had been bullied in school. Pierce said she was told of the bullying after his death.

After Jamel’s death, Denver Public Schools had grief counselors meet with students, teachers and school staff. The school system said in a statement Tuesday that it is “deeply committed to ensuring that all members of our school community are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status.”

Jamel’s death sheds light on the challenges children and teenagers — especially LGBTQ youths — face.

When children are around Jamel’s age, sexual orientation and gender identity isn’t discussed as often as it is with older students. It’s also common for LGBTQ youths to be bullied by

their peers, which can lead them to feel alienated, advocates say.

“Young people are coming out younger and younger,” said Daniel Ramos, executive director of One Colorado. “And they’re experiencing more and more bullying and harassment based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

In 2016, roughly 436 youths between the ages of 10 and 14 died by suicide in the U.S., and that’s up from 216 individuals in 2006. About 5,723 people between the ages of 15 and 24 died by suicide in 2016, up from 4,189 in 2006, making it the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 24, according to CDC data.

In Colorado, suicide is the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 24, according to a report by the Colorado De- partment of Public Health and Environment.

The rise in youth suicides has been noticed at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where the number of patients coming into its pediatric intensive care unit for suicidal behaviors has jumped 300 percent in the past seven years.

“That was a shocking number for us to see,” said Dr. Jason Williams, a psychologist at the facility.

To help identify youths at risk, the hospital started two years ago screening patients over the age of 10 at its emergency department and urgent care for signs that they’ve harmed themselves, he said.

Children have a more difficult time handling bullying and alienation than older individuals. It can lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, Ross said.

Members of the LGBTQ community are at a greater risk of harming themselves, he said.

“It’s not because of them or their personality,” Ross said. “It’s because of the acceptance around them. It’s the lack of acceptance from the community around them and the active bullying and active alienation that leads to pain management.”