Teen suicides – a growing concern
Last weekend, we attended a wake-for an 18-year-old boy. After expressing our condolences to the bereaved family, conversation turned to what happened. It was apparently a suicide. He had just become another statistic for this fastgrowing phenomenon.
A report said teen suicides have been increasing worldwide over the last decade. In 2021, 22 percent among high school students had seriously considered suicide, up from 16 percent in 2011. Eighteen percent said they made suicide plans, and 10 percent attempted suicide at least once, compared with 13 percent and eight percent respectively in 2021. Suicide is the third leading cause of death with the 10–24-year-old group, making up 14 percent of all suicides, more than 6,500 deaths annually.
The Philippines is no exception, though it is at a lower rate than seen in other countries. The Covid-19 pandemic, with the general lockdowns and shuttering of schools, had exacerbated the phenomenon. Research by the UP Population Institute showed that almost 1.5 million young Filipinos tried committing suicide, almost triple the number in 2013. There were 404 successful suicides among public school students, reports said.
The teen years are a stressful period in anyone’s life. I was miserable during my teenage years, being reed-thin and with face covered in unsightly pimples. Not being sports-minded added to my sense of isolation. I was bullied heavily. But even the toughest school bullies also have insecurities, and that’s why they resort to bullying.
The physiological and hormonal changes of teenage years also wreak havoc on many teens, giving them awkward and gawky appearances with the resultant clumsiness it produces. Teen romances gone wrong may also be a trigger for suicides.
Common risk factors of suicide in teens include depression and other mental disorders, low self-esteem, stress, isolation, bullying, substance abuse, peer pressure, and sexual orientation issues.
Social media is being blamed for increasing social isolation, wherein teens almost exclusively use social media to the detriment of in-person socialization. “Cyber-bullying” is associated with higher levels of depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
Excessive consumption of social media exposes teens to idealized personas and lifestyles wherein everything appears “perfect” for the posting persons, which may be impossible for the viewer to achieve, thus inducing a feeling of low self-worth.
Warning signs for suicide include: changes in eating and sleeping habits, alcohol or drug use, withdrawal from family and friends, neglect of personal appearance, giving away their treasured possessions, lack of response to praise, irritability, sadness or crying spells, feeling or expressing boredom, problems focusing on tasks, social media posts of isolation and depression, excessive preoccupation with social media, talking about or indicating plans to commit self-harm or suicide.
If your child exhibits one or more of these symptoms, better take it seriously. The most important is to keep the lines of communication open and directly ask your teenager if they are thinking of killing themselves. It pays to listen and encourage your child to remain involved in their favorite activities. Plan more family bonding activities. Remove any potential weapon or poisons in the house, if possible.
An outright ban on social media will not work. Encouraging teens to have healthy social media habits is more productive. First is reducing the number of hours spent online and encouraging them to seek out their friends in person. Adults should be role models and provide an example of rational use of social media.
When it is apparent that a teen is suicidal, it is best to get professional help. There are many suicide hotlines locally. The National Center for Mental Health Crisis is open 24 hours (0966351-4518. The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation/hopeline Philippines has been in the forefront of helping prevent suicides for many years now. Just typing suicide hotlines will show you many links and numbers to call for help. In an emergency, call 911.
Teen suicide is more distressing as it cuts short lives that could have been productive and help contribute to society. It is devastating for the parents, siblings and family members who have to cope with guilt feelings and wish they could have done more to prevent the event. The pain of losing a loved one on the cusp of adulthood is almost unbearable. Let’s do more to prevent another teen suicide.