Sharp Uptick Seen in Suspected Suicide Attempts among Teenage Girls: CDC
July 23, 2021
According to a recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suspected suicide attempts increased among teen girls during the pandemic. The analysis looked at emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among youth ages 12 to 17 from February 21 to March 20, 2021, compared to the same period in 2019. It found suspected suicide attempts rose 51% among girls and 4% among boys. The findings have several limitations, including a lack of information on suicide trends among different communities and populations. However, experts agree there is a need for comprehensive efforts to prevent youth suicide, such as strengthening care transitions so patients are connected to supports when they leave the emergency department. Parents and caregivers should look for the warning signs of suicide in their kids, reduce access to lethal means in the home, and promote healthy coping. Reaching out to people who are struggling is a key to preventing suicide, said Christine Yu Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “A simple phone call or text message letting them know you care may be just what they need,” she said.
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