Suicide and Homicide Prevalence Increasing Among American Teens

A report released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found out that more and more Americans aged between 10 and 24 fall victim to suicide and homicide.

The report crunched data from 2007 to 2017 and found a spike in the number of suicides by 56 percent. The study reveals 10.6 deaths per 1000 compared to a 6.8 deaths per 1000 in the period 2000-2007 among that particular American demographic.

In the case of homicide, the number of cases showed a steady decline from 2007 to 2014. But, that went upward in three years climbing from 6.7 deaths per thousand to 7.9.

Here’s a summary of the report–

• In 2017, suicide and homicide were the second and third leading causes of death for persons aged 15–19 and 20–24.
• After a stable period from 2000 to 2007, suicide and homicide death rates for persons aged 10–24 increased recently during the time period, since 2007 for suicide, and since 2014 for homicide.
• For persons aged 10–14, suicide rates began increasing in 2010, whereas the homicide rate declined during the 2000–2017 period. In contrast, recent increases were observed for both suicide and homicide death rates among persons aged 15–19 and 20–24, with the increases for suicide rates beginning earlier than for homicide rates.

You can read the full report here.

Experts have stated that this rise in the number of cases can be attributed to Social media, especially among the female population. The need to feel validated online on different social platforms has turned teens sensitive. They feel the need to monitor their social media 24/7, craving for virtual likes and follows so that they could have enjoy a temporary ‘bliss’. There’s nothing wrong in getting a little red notification when someone has liked or commented on your Instagram or Facebook post. But it is the addiction that drives a person to an despicable extent to commit something rash like a suicide.

I am sure, at this moment, or someone close to you who’s in the midst of an online abuse or some feud on social media. Or, it might as well as be you. While we might not know what you or your loved ones are going through, the first step is to keep a cool head.

Social media is good, but feeling trapped in the stream of negative feedback is something you need to watch out.