Every year, families around the world mourn the loss of their loved ones. Suicide. Over 720,000 people commit suicide a year worldwide, and around 49,000 people commit suicide a year in the U.S. 14.1% of those people are teenagers just like you or your child. As the years go by, the increase in teenage suicide attempts continues to grow, and is an issue that needs to be discussed.
Roughly one in every five students has seriously thought about committing suicide, according to 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That person may be your friend, a sibling, or even yourself. You can never truly tell what a person is going through, but let’s talk about some of the warning signs.
Knowing the warning signs is crucial to helping someone who feels like committing suicide. Some of the common signs are: feeling like they don’t belong or are a burden, feeling hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live, seem extremely sad, anxious, or angry, loss of interest in favorite activities, or withdrawal from friends or family.
These certainly aren’t the only signs of feeling suicidal, and these certainly aren’t the signs you may always see. No matter how happy a person may seem, always check in on them, let them know you are there for them. And if you are the one feeling suicidal, just remember you are never alone. There is always someone who knows you are worth being here, whether it be family, a friend, or a stranger who always thinks you’re cool but has never spoken to you. The world is rough and difficult to maneuver through; there are thousands of people who have been in your position. You matter. You’re important. You are loved. And if you ever need to talk, there are many numerous resources available like: National Suicide Prevention – Call or Text 988, The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+) – 1-800-488-7386, Teen Line – 1-800-862-TEEN, L.A Warm Line – 1-855-952-9276, Self-Injury Foundation – 1-800-334-HELP (4357)
You deserve to be here.
