In a National Vital Statistics report released Friday morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the suicide rate in the U.S. increased by 24% from 1999 to 2014.
The report said one of the biggest increases in suicide rates was for girls ages 10 to 14.
“Social Media has a lot to do with this,” Sharron Davis, executive director of CONTACT Lubbock said. “We loose about 7,000 youth to suicide each year in the United States. It’s estimated of those 7,000 lives lost that 65-70% were either bullied, cyber bullied, or both, but Social Media has a lot to do with it.”
Davis said the CDC’s national findings are similar to suicide rates in Lubbock. She said there are warning signs to look for.
“If you’re looking at differences in sleep habits, eating habits, anger issues, where they can’t control their anger, that type of thing, where they get very isolated, that’s a huge issue,” Davis said.
Davis also said don’t leave teens alone and don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Open and honest communication is the way to prevent suicide from happening.
“If you see something on social media whether it’s 3:00 in the morning or on a weekend, if it concerns you, tell someone,” Davis said. “By telling someone we can save a life and not telling someone we can loose a life.”
If you know someone who may be having suicidal thoughts click here for help.
