1 in 4 young people are reporting Suicidal thoughts

Suicidal ideation is up among young people since last year, with as many as one in four people ages 18 through 24 having seriously considered suicide in the 30 days preceding the survey. In the early days of the pandemic, many people came together to help each other, connecting over socially distant dinners and reaching out for video calls with friends they had not talked to in months. But this international crisis continues, and Americans are having trouble adjusting to the strain of our new reality.

New psychological data taken during the pandemic shows the nation’s mental health is languishing. According to the report, in which researchers surveyed 5,412 adults in the United States between June 24 and 30. In the general United States population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 11% of adults surveyed had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days before they completed the survey. Among those identifying as Black or Hispanic, the numbers were worse.

19% of Hispanics reported suicidal ideation and 15% of Blacks reported suicidal thoughts.

The results reflect a nation increasingly on edge. The number of Americans reporting anxiety symptoms is three times the number at this same time last year. Previous events have had a start, middle, an end. People can not disconnect from this. Unlike events such as 9/11 or hurricanes, the covid pandemic is not just something people watch on the news, limited to a specific time and place.

It is everywhere, and it does not appear to have an end date. Nobody is immune to the stress of the pandemic. Add on the pressures of the economy, the increased scrutiny on racial injustice, and the looming specter of the presidential election, and it is hard for many to feel like things might turn out okay. The emotional burden is falling more heavily on those who reported having been treated recently for mental, emotional, or suicidal issues.

In particular, the stress is disproportionately falling on the young. Young people are struggling and having a tough time. On an individual level, the main pillars of psychological health include eating healthy, staying active, getting enough sleep, and maintaining social connections. Oftentimes when we are in stress, it is hard to come up with a game plan.

Friends and family play that role.

But figuring out healthy ways to socialize virtually can require being intentional. Passive thumbing through social media or “doom scrolling” does not constitute meaningful or supportive social interaction. If you are on social media it is better to try to directly engage with or respond to others. In particular, if someone you know or love stops engaging, that can be a sign that it is time to reach out.

You can say things like, “I’m worried about you,” and ask if they are eating, sleeping, and taking care of themselves. You can encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. That process is actually now a little easier during the pandemic, since 75% of mental health providers have switched over to telehealth. Providers are available, and we know teletherapy to be effective.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention recommends that those suicidal needing emotional support should call the Disaster Distress Helpline or text TalkWithUs. And if you are experiencing a suicidal crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text the Crisis Text Line to get help. Even if you are not in crisis, it is crucial to find ways, albeit often virtually or physically distanced, to maintain bonds with others and do what we can to support each other before someone enters into a crisis mode.

Many were doing that well in the spring as the nation entered into the pandemic.

And the nation’s suicidal mental health now requires us to recall that same spirit. As a community, we need to collectively re-amp up.