How can 1/3 teen girls be suicidal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Instagram.

Insta and are social media are literally causing this.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/technology/meta-instagram-investigation-teens.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-suicide-social-media-bullying-mental-health-contributing-to-rise-in-deaths/

The evidence is overwhelming.

Kids were suicidal before instagram. Bullying has been around since the dawn of time. It just looked different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

There are some signs. But you have to spend a lot of time with the person to know. BTDT. I had suicidal thoughts and masked it well in public, but my parents saw I was depressed and helped me.

EXACTLY. The signs are always there. But most people are too busy to notice.

Back in the day, you had grandma at home who had lots of time to listen and support her grandchildren.

This is absolutely not true. 15% of suicides show zero signs. None. Not to friends, parents, teachers, counselors. None.

Our area has had 3 very public suicides in the last 5 months and there has been a lot of support for kids, teachers, parents and the community. This statistic stuck out as it sadly seems to encompass one of them.

The support comes after these kids committed suicide. You are projecting saying there is tons of support. Clearly, these kids didn't feel supported. Most of the mental health non-sense at schools is completely disconnected. My kids don't feel supported by teachers or the community, just us as parents. Be real. Most support is superficial and just to pretend you are doing something. My kids wouldn't go to a teacher if something is wrong. I always know by their behavior to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

First PP here. It’s not that there are no signs. There are and we are so much better at recognizing them and having support available. The big issue that I saw both professionally and personally was that when it came time for the actual attempt, everyone thought things were not good but not Crisis. In fact most saw an upswing. Like rock bottom had happened and things were looking up. There was hope - for us family members. That’s a very dangerous time period. It’s the point where you have the energy to act and you know you might decompensate again and can’t survive another rock bottom.

Even knowing this, I did not see it in my own child. Call it hope. Call it that it’s something you absolutely cannot fathom (your child killing themselves). Whatever. I worked with so many families and every single one was shocked. Every single one thought it was ok to leave to go to the grocery store. Or family dinner. Or whatever. These (me included) were people who were on top of their kids’ mental health issues. I am lucky that mine wasn’t successful but the people I worked with were not.

Anyway, yes there are signs. But this is really complicated.

[Anonymous]

Social media + lack of religion + general degradation of human morality and basic decency towards others.

Sad state of the world we live in.

My religion teaches suicide is a sin. And teaches hope, and bringing your problems to God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

First PP here. It’s not that there are no signs. There are and we are so much better at recognizing them and having support available. The big issue that I saw both professionally and personally was that when it came time for the actual attempt, everyone thought things were not good but not Crisis. In fact most saw an upswing. Like rock bottom had happened and things were looking up. There was hope - for us family members. That’s a very dangerous time period. It’s the point where you have the energy to act and you know you might decompensate again and can’t survive another rock bottom.

Even knowing this, I did not see it in my own child. Call it hope. Call it that it’s something you absolutely cannot fathom (your child killing themselves). Whatever. I worked with so many families and every single one was shocked. Every single one thought it was ok to leave to go to the grocery store. Or family dinner. Or whatever. These (me included) were people who were on top of their kids’ mental health issues. I am lucky that mine wasn’t successful but the people I worked with were not.

Anyway, yes there are signs. But this is really complicated.

Thank you for this thoughtful response and for the work you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Social media + lack of religion + general degradation of human morality and basic decency towards others.

Sad state of the world we live in.

My religion teaches suicide is a sin. And teaches hope, and bringing your problems to God.

How does religion teaching its a sin help? Most people commit sin's without thinking twice, usually the most religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

First PP here. It’s not that there are no signs. There are and we are so much better at recognizing them and having support available. The big issue that I saw both professionally and personally was that when it came time for the actual attempt, everyone thought things were not good but not Crisis. In fact most saw an upswing. Like rock bottom had happened and things were looking up. There was hope - for us family members. That’s a very dangerous time period. It’s the point where you have the energy to act and you know you might decompensate again and can’t survive another rock bottom.

Even knowing this, I did not see it in my own child. Call it hope. Call it that it’s something you absolutely cannot fathom (your child killing themselves). Whatever. I worked with so many families and every single one was shocked. Every single one thought it was ok to leave to go to the grocery store. Or family dinner. Or whatever. These (me included) were people who were on top of their kids’ mental health issues. I am lucky that mine wasn’t successful but the people I worked with were not.

Anyway, yes there are signs. But this is really complicated.

This is the truth. During the periods of time when my DD was actively suicidal, she was never left alone, for any reason. It took our entire household working together to keep her safe. When things weren’t so acute, we stayed very alert. There ARE signs but they can be subtle. Even then, it’s been a physical battle at times to keep her safe.

Anyone simplifying this to “social media” are NOT getting it. the fact that it’s so simple for you to explain tells me you know nothing about this. Nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Social media + lack of religion + general degradation of human morality and basic decency towards others.

Sad state of the world we live in.

My religion teaches suicide is a sin. And teaches hope, and bringing your problems to God.

I went to a Catholic school in the 80's and three of my peers attempted suicide. Social Media wasn't a thing and they all came from very religious families. You are talking nonsense. In fact many LGBTQ youth attempt suicide because they are not accepted by their church/religious family.

[Anonymous]

I am not a teen but I have had intermittent periods of suicidal ideation throughout my lifespan. You would never know it by looking at me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/cdc-data-shows-u-s-teen-girls-in-crisis-with-unprecedented-rise-in-suicidal-behavior

Has anyone else seen all this new data? As a mother of a HS age daughter I am just not seeing this. I asked my daughter about it and she doesn’t personally know anyone who has admitted any sort of struggle. She of course knows tons of kids on meds for ADHD but that’s pretty normal these days.

I keep pretty close tabs on things so I’m wondering how I’m missing this, or what the difference is? Not saying DD never struggles but generally she enjoys school and her friends and has a positive outlook. Her friends all seem the same.

I have been seeing it played out over and over in DMV.

The outpatient and partial hospitalization programs in the area are overflowing. So many teens (especially girls) are either self harming, or have eating disorders or vaping or are constantly depressed and anxious.

The pandemic was rough for many youth especially girls.

Social media is generally toxic, misinformed and misogynistic. There is so much emphasis on questioning gender identity before they can possibly be expected to know. Boys routinely ask for nudes and share them. Revenge porn is happening as early as MS.

I am seeing it and it is alarming.




I am seeing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

First PP here. It’s not that there are no signs. There are and we are so much better at recognizing them and having support available. The big issue that I saw both professionally and personally was that when it came time for the actual attempt, everyone thought things were not good but not Crisis. In fact most saw an upswing. Like rock bottom had happened and things were looking up. There was hope - for us family members. That’s a very dangerous time period. It’s the point where you have the energy to act and you know you might decompensate again and can’t survive another rock bottom.

Even knowing this, I did not see it in my own child. Call it hope. Call it that it’s something you absolutely cannot fathom (your child killing themselves). Whatever. I worked with so many families and every single one was shocked. Every single one thought it was ok to leave to go to the grocery store. Or family dinner. Or whatever. These (me included) were people who were on top of their kids’ mental health issues. I am lucky that mine wasn’t successful but the people I worked with were not.

Anyway, yes there are signs. But this is really complicated.

This is the truth. During the periods of time when my DD was actively suicidal, she was never left alone, for any reason. It took our entire household working together to keep her safe. When things weren’t so acute, we stayed very alert. There ARE signs but they can be subtle. Even then, it’s been a physical battle at times to keep her safe.

Anyone simplifying this to “social media” are NOT getting it. the fact that it’s so simple for you to explain tells me you know nothing about this. Nothing.

Sadly most parents aren't like you and that is a huge issue for most kids. Your daughter is fortunate to have parents like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/cdc-data-shows-u-s-teen-girls-in-crisis-with-unprecedented-rise-in-suicidal-behavior

Has anyone else seen all this new data? As a mother of a HS age daughter I am just not seeing this. I asked my daughter about it and she doesn’t personally know anyone who has admitted any sort of struggle. She of course knows tons of kids on meds for ADHD but that’s pretty normal these days.

I keep pretty close tabs on things so I’m wondering how I’m missing this, or what the difference is? Not saying DD never struggles but generally she enjoys school and her friends and has a positive outlook. Her friends all seem the same.

I have been seeing it played out over and over in DMV.

The outpatient and partial hospitalization programs in the area are overflowing. So many teens (especially girls) are either self harming, or have eating disorders or vaping or are constantly depressed and anxious.

The pandemic was rough for many youth especially girls.

Social media is generally toxic, misinformed and misogynistic. There is so much emphasis on questioning gender identity before they can possibly be expected to know. Boys routinely ask for nudes and share them. Revenge porn is happening as early as MS.

I am seeing it and it is alarming.




I am seeing this.

This has NOTHING to do with the pandemic and the pandemic has been over for two year and everything has been back to normal. Issues getting hospital beds and treatment has been an issue for many years. It isn't something new.

This isn't just social media.

These kids didn't just start having issues over night. They started having issues much younger and it intensified over time. Parents, teachers and others missed the warning signs. Parents need to step up and parent like the one poster is saying that she does for her daughter. As your kids get older, they need you just as much or more.

You can blame everything and everyone but ultimately as a parent you are responsible. And, sometimes mental health issues are genetic and will happen even if the child is in the perfect family/home/school.

[Anonymous]

School staff and parent of teen—Covid certainly did play a part. Missed 1 year plus of socialization and making friendships. Don’t be daft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are parents supposed to do if there are literally no signs? The kids aren’t even a little depressed first?

There are some signs. But you have to spend a lot of time with the person to know. BTDT. I had suicidal thoughts and masked it well in public, but my parents saw I was depressed and helped me.

EXACTLY. The signs are always there. But most people are too busy to notice.

Back in the day, you had grandma at home who had lots of time to listen and support her grandchildren.

This is absolutely not true. 15% of suicides show zero signs. None. Not to friends, parents, teachers, counselors. None.

Our area has had 3 very public suicides in the last 5 months and there has been a lot of support for kids, teachers, parents and the community. This statistic stuck out as it sadly seems to encompass one of them.

Why would parents say “yes, there were signs, but we missed them.”? How would they even know how to recognize severe depression?

[Anonymous]

There are always signs of emotional trouble. Few parents or teachers are trained to recognize the red flags.

You have to really know the person.