Critics were baffled and even scandalized in 2017 when Netflix launched 13 Reasons Why, a series about teen suicide. For all its failures, the show had this going for it: It correctly saw a trend in American life.
Young people are committing suicide at a higher rate, and it’s hard to explain why.
From 2007-2017, suicide rates among young people aged 10 to 24 increased nearly 56%, according to a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics. That’s a jump from 6.8 to 10.6 suicides per 100,000 people.
“Though the numbers remain low in practical terms, the rate jump is significant,” said Stephanie Hartselle, a clinical associate professor at Brown University. “Many other nations have seen decreases in their numbers of suicide rates and the United States is seeing what is considered to be a sharp increase, making scientists very concerned.”
The upward trend is fairly recent, too. Suicide rates for 10- to 14-year-olds actually declined from 2000 to 2007. So why are they suddenly spiking? It’s difficult to say.
Two things that happened at that pivot point might offer explanations: The iPhone was launched, and the financial crisis hit the U.S.
“Economic hardship has been tied to suicide rates, and we are seeing more suicides in the rural areas than ever, making the financial struggle a significant concern,” Hartselle said. “Mental health providers are hard to find in less populated areas, and a lack of access to quality care could also be contributing.”
Roughly, suicide correlates with low population density. Montana, with its large rural population, has the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. For ages 15-24, it’s the first leading cause of death. Alaska, Wyoming, and New Mexico fall close behind.
Another concern is growing levels of depression and anxiety. Here, the media can also play a role.
“Not only is there an issue of ‘copycat suicides’ where a celebrity or local youth dies by suicide and can produce more suicidal thoughts or actions, but cyberbullying can isolate a child with relentless torment,” Hartselle said.
The series 13 Reasons Why, which recently released a third season, has been criticized for corresponding with an uptick in teen suicides, with some questioning whether the show glamorizes the posthumous revenge of its protagonist. That objection ignores that the show was noticing a 10-year trend rather than causing one.
Without understanding the cause of the nationwide growth in suicide, it’s hard to find a cure. But Hartselle has some suggestions. Contrary to popular belief, the mere mention of suicide is not enough to encourage it.
“Parents, educators, and caregivers can and should talk about suicide, ask questions, discuss what a child is seeing online and in the news,” she says. “Suicide is preventable.”
