| Teen suicide rates reach alarming lows in L.A. county |
The median age for teen suicide in Los Angeles County has dropped to 16, the youngest ever. Suicide rates among children have been increasing, with theories including the impact of social media, access to guns, and hormonal contraceptives. The rate among Black and Asian youths is now higher than among white ones. The academic calendar seems to play a role, as suicides are more likely to occur during the school year. However, the systems meant to help children in crisis have been left to atrophy, with a lack of psychiatric beds and pediatric psychiatrists. Involuntary hospitalizations for suicidal teens are traumatic and expensive, leading to a "fail first" model. Schools often struggle to address suicide prevention and postvention effectively, and social media fuels contagion. Private schools, like Harvard-Westlake, have faced clusters of suicides, but their prevention efforts are not mandated by state law. The surge in eating disorders among girls, fueled by social media, also increases their risk of suicide. Friends of deceased teens often learn about their deaths through social media, leading to glamorization and increased risk. It is crucial to have open conversations about suicide and provide better mental health support for children.
