Rise in hospitalized children with suicidal thoughts or actions
There is a rise in children hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or actions in the last 10 years. A research study conducted by the Pediatric Academic Societies detailed that there is “a steady increase in admissions due to suicidality and serious self-harm that occurred at 32 children’s hospitals across the nation from 2008 through 2015. The children studied were between the ages of 5 and 17, and although all age groups showed increases, the largest uptick was seen among teen girls.” The research concluded that rates have doubled over the last decade.
Dr. Gregory Plemmons, presenter of the study and an associate professor of pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt reported, “When we looked at the number of kids awaiting placement or admitted at one time, month by month, there is a huge difference in the months,” he said. “Certainly, the month of the year that is the lowest for suicidal thoughts and ideation is July. And we see those numbers creep back up right when school starts.”
Read more about the study here.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7/365. If you, or someone you know, needs someone to talk to, please reach out and call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or chat online here.
