Suicide of a young person
Youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as someone below the legal age of majority, deliberately ends their own life. Rates of youth suicide and attempted youth suicide in Western societies and elsewhere are high.[vague][citation needed] Female youth are more likely to attempt suicide than male youth but less likely to die from their attempt.[1] For example, in Australia, suicide is second only to motor vehicle accidents as its leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25.[2]
In the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, and the third leading cause of death for those between 15 and 19.[3] In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of ChiId and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association released a joint statement announcing a mental health crisis among American youth.[4] Emergency room visits for mental health issues have dramatically increased, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Mental health education in schools[where?] equips students with the knowledge and skills to recognise signs of distress and seek help.[citation needed]
Community support programs offer safe spaces for adolescents to express their emotions and receive professional support.[citation needed][example needed] Increased access to mental health resources, including hotlines and counseling services, ensures timely intervention and support for at-risk youths.[citation needed] These initiatives[which?] aim to address the underlying factors[examples needed] contributing to youth suicide and promote mental well-being among adolescents.[not verified in body]
