Young people in England need as much mental health support as they can get, after figures reveal the suicide rate among teenagers surged by 35 per cent last year.
Charity YoungMinds analysed data released by the Office for National Statistics, showing that the number of people aged between 15 and 19 in England who took their own lives rose from 147 in 2020 to 198 in 2021.
This represents the highest rise in figures for more than 30 years, and the number for 2022 suicides could be even greater, as referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) this year has been higher than ever.
In fact, it is currently 23 per cent higher than it was at the same time in 2021, and 241,791 referrals had already been made to CAMHS during the first three months of the year.
Chief executive of YoungMinds Emma Thomas said this shows a “shocking picture of the state of young people’s mental health in this country”.
“Young people are struggling to access the support they desperately need, and the dramatic rise in suicides is truly alarming,” she stated.
Consequently, the charity is urging the government to provide more resources for the NHS to enable young people to access help quickly, as well as dedicated mental health funding for schools.
Three-quarters of teachers revealed to the charity they believe pupils’ learning is negatively impacted by the lack of mental health support. Furthermore, 59 per cent of teachers handle mental health problems every day.
YoungMinds’ plea for more government help comes after World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) took place on September 10th 2022. It was introduced in 2003 to raise awareness of the problem of suicide worldwide and remind those who are suffering from mental health difficulties there is an alternative to taking your own life.
It is thought 703,000 people commit suicide every year around the world, with 20 attempts made for every suicide as well.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which established WSPD along with the International Association for Suicide Prevention, said: “Each suicidal death is a public health concern with a profound impact on those around them. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.”
WHO aims to prevent people taking their own lives by either reducing risk factors, which include abuse, humanitarian emergencies, conflict, chronic pain or illness, violence, financial problems, relationship break-ups, discrimination, loss and loneliness, or by giving support to those who are suffering.
Its LIVE LIFE approach recommends interventions that effectively reduce incidences of suicides. These include limiting access to the means of suicide; maintaining responsible reporting of suicide in the media; encouraging socio-emotional life skills in teenagers; and early identification, assessment, and management of anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours.
Seeking professional support is also a must for anyone who is considering taking their own life, who are suffering from depression or anxiety, or who are going through a hard time. Early intervention is key to preventing depression and suicidal thoughts escalate.
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