The researchers point out their study did not try to evaluate the causes for why increasing numbers of youth are visualizing and/or attempting suicide, although they say there are probably multiple reasons.
Dr. Gene Beresin (who did not participate in the study) is the executive director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He says depression and suicide have been “rising significantly” and speculates that one reason why is the pressure kids feel to perform in school and in their future careers. Also, suicide rates have risen in all age groups, meaning that parents and guardians are increasingly anxious and could be passing this stress on their kids. Other factors could be the challenges that have come with the Internet and social media, such as cyberbullying, which often goes unnoticed.
