A study exploring trends in suicide rates among 13 to 14 year olds in the U.S. from 1999 to 2018 shows that suicide rates more than doubled from 2008 to 2018, following a rise in social media and despite significant declines in suicide mortality in this age group previously from 1999 to 2007. These trends were similar in urban and rural areas but were more common in boys in rural areas where firearms are more prevalent. Suicides occurred significantly more often between September and May and were highest on Monday followed by the rest of the weekdays, suggesting school stress as a contributor.
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IMAGE: Sarah K. Wood, M.D., senior author, interim dean and senior associate dean for education, Schmidt College of Medicine. view more
Credit: Florida Atlantic University
Deaths from suicide are rising in the United States. These rising trends are especially alarming because global trends in suicide are on a downward trajectory. Moreover, in the U.S., the major mode of suicide among young Americans is by firearms.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University s Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators explored trends in suicide by firearms in young white and black Americans (ages 5 to 24 years) from 1999 to 2018. Results, published in the journal