Youth suicide statistics potentially skewed
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Mike Clark
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on suicides prompted an Associated Press article that appeared in the Sept. 7 News & Record. The report indicated a suicide trend among youths and young adults, ages 10-24, particularly in "tween" girls, ages 10-14.
I believe that the data pulled from this report could be better understood if other information is provided. An editorial note in the CDC's online newsletter says youth suicide statistics are potentially skewed because 1) research on suicide deaths in youths, ages 10-19, has focused on males, and 2) research on females has primarily examined suicidal thoughts and nonfatal suicide injuries.
The AP article also noted an overall trend toward hanging and suffocation as suicide methods. Again, the CDC offers further explanation: Unintended death due to a practice of self-asphyxiation, the "choking game,” is likely to have been misclassified as intentional suicide in adolescent boys.
This is not to downplay the incidence or tragedy of youth suicide. I am simply attempting to put
the CDC research into the proper perspective. As a child psychiatrist in Guilford County, I have not noticed a substantial increase in thoughts of suicide among tweens or teens. However, I would suggest that our concern, as parents and as a community, should be prevention, early intervention and treatment for adolescent and teen depression.
Depression is a problem for all populations and age groups. If left untreated, 15 percent of individuals with depression will kill themselves.
Healthy adolescents and teens are well-adjusted and on task. It is not normal for young people to dwell on topics like death and suicide. Other symptoms to watch for include difficulty sleeping, withdrawal, altered eating habits and a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.
Depression screenings are simple and painless. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from depression, please talk to your pediatrician or school counselor, or call Guilford County toll-free at 1-800-853-5163 (for TTY users, 1-866-518-6778).
Remember, untreated depression can be fatal. Early detection and treatment save lives.
The writer is a psychiatrist with The Guilford Center.