Dedicating an entire month to suicide prevention is a wonderful way to recognize the importance of this epidemic…but it is not enough. According to an article published in Pediatrics, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States. Which is why youth mental health education must be a daily investment. We tend to think about suicide as something affecting children only after they reach the tumultuous teen years, but studies show that while not as common, younger children are also at risk. Alarmingly, young children are experiencing high levels of stress exacerbated by negative influences such as social media, bullying, lack of resources, and poverty.
Children who have mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or oppositional defiant disorder are at greater risk for dying by suicide. Other risk factors include substance use disorder, changes related to puberty, physical or sexual abuse, and exposure to other’s suicide.
According to SAMSA, parents should be familiar with the following warning signs that their child may be struggling:
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn or easily irritated for more than two weeks
- Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans to do so
- Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
- Getting in many fights or wanting to hurt others
- Showing severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt oneself or others
- Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight
- Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
- Experiencing extreme difficulty controlling behavior, putting themselves in physical danger or causing problems in school
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality
- A drop in their school performance
The Mayo Clinic urges parents who believe their child is considering suicide to call 911, their local emergency number, or a suicide hotline. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Author: Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County
Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County
Sources
For parents and caregivers of children. SAMHSA. (2023, April 23). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers
Hua, L., Lee, J., Rahmandar, M., & Sigel, E. (2024, January). Suicide and suicide risk in adolescents | pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 5). What parents need to know about teen suicide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308
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September 2, 2025
suicide prevention | Live Healthy Live Well
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Dedicating an entire month to suicide prevention is a wonderful way to recognize the importance of this epidemic…but it is not enough. According to an article published in Pediatrics, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States. Which is why youth mental health education must be a daily investment. We tend to think about suicide as something affecting children only after they reach the tumultuous teen years, but studies show that while not as common, younger children are also at risk. Alarmingly, young children are experiencing high levels of stress exacerbated by negative influences such as social media, bullying, lack of resources, and poverty.
Children who have mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or oppositional defiant disorder are at greater risk for dying by suicide. Other risk factors include substance use disorder, changes related to puberty, physical or sexual abuse, and exposure to other’s suicide.
According to SAMSA, parents should be familiar with the following warning signs that their child may be struggling:
The Mayo Clinic urges parents who believe their child is considering suicide to call 911, their local emergency number, or a suicide hotline. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Author: Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County
Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County
Sources
For parents and caregivers of children. SAMHSA. (2023, April 23). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers
Hua, L., Lee, J., Rahmandar, M., & Sigel, E. (2024, January). Suicide and suicide risk in adolescents | pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 5). What parents need to know about teen suicide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308
Read Full Post »