Record high numbers: 1 in 3 high school girls have considered suicide
Startling data released on Monday suggests 1 in every 3 high school girls have considered suicide – and 57% report feeling sad or hopeless at times.
What can be done to reverse these statistics? What help do teenagers need as they navigate the pressures of school, family life, sports and social media?
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, released by the CDC, reported record levels of sadness and suicide risk among teenage girls.
It made Rania Abushakra, a student at UNC Charlotte and mental health advocate, think of her own mental health challenges.
"I struggle with my fair share of mental health difficulties. I struggled with social media and cyber bullying, people not being their authentic self," she said.
Responses from this CDC survey look at trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights 10-year trends from 2011-2021.
For example:
- 57% of teen girls report feeling sad or hopeless at times—the highest rate in a decade.
- That’s compared to 29% of teen boys.
- 30% of teen girls in the US considered taking their own life
- As opposed to 14% of teen boys who had these feelings
WRAL News asked Dr. Danielle Roubinov, a clinical psychologist at UNC about the options available for people in need.
"Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the things we know to be most effective for addressing depression and anxiety," she says. "Really helping people generate more helpful, more adaptive way of thinking and shifting their behavior into more coping and engaging in surroundings that can be healthier."
People like Abushakra said it has worked wonders for her. She now advocates for others who need help.
"I have done therapy since 2015 and it’s one of the best of the decisions I've ever made. Changed my outlook on life and how I approach problems," she says.
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
