Youth Suicide Rates on The Rise – Understanding the Warning Signs

Youth Suicide Trends

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has researchers concerned more than ever about youth suicide risk. Early studies show that there was a 31% increase in the proportion of mental health-related ER visits for teens aged 12-17 in 2020 compared to 2019. With the uncertainty of the Delta Variant and the beginning of a new school year, it's crucial that educators understand the warning signs of youth suicide and also have resources to handle mental health crises when they happen.

Warning Signs of Suicide

According to the Mayo Clinic, common warning signs of youth suicide include: 

• Talking or writing about suicide - for example, making statements such as "I'm going to kill myself," or "I won't be a problem for you much longer".
• Withdrawing from social contact.
• Having mood swings.
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs.
• Feeling trapped, hopeless or helpless about a situation.
• Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns.
• Doing risky or self-destructive things.
• Giving away belongings when there is no other logical explanation for why this is being done.
• Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above.

How Vector Solutions Can Help

Staff & Student Resources

• Youth Suicide: Awareness, Prevention and Postvention
• Self-Injury and Cutting
• Bullying: Recognition and Response
• Student Mental Health Awareness, Intervention, and Referral
• Stress Management

• Bullying and Cyberbullying
• Depression Awareness
• Stress and Anxiety
• Youth Suicide Risk

Vector LiveSafe improves your ability to receive valuable tips and track, manage, and respond to incidents and emergencies, resulting in increased student safety and wellness across your school community. The safety communications platform can be accessed through the Vector LiveSafe mobile app, where students can report incidents of: 

• Bullying
• Threats of violence
• Student mental health crisis
• Suicide ideation
• And more 

The app can be customized to meet the needs of your school and student population, and now includes the option to add a silent panic alarm for emergencies.

Free On-Demand Webinar Resources

• Student Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19: Keys to Managing Anxiety and Promoting Social and Emotional Wellness
• Webinar Youth Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention in Schools