Building Trust, Saving Lives: The Critical Role of Supportive Adults in Youth Suicide Prevention
by Andrea Boffice, MA, CPS, Content Development Specialist
Suicide is a large and increasing concern for young adults, making universal suicide prevention more important than ever for all those who interact with young adults.
Suicide prevention means combating those life circumstances and problems that may lead someone to experiencing suicidality. Those who want to support young adults can engage in prevention efforts by educating themselves about the risk and protective factors of suicide, as well as understanding common warning signs and triggering events of suicide.
It is known that suicide is currently the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10-34 in the United States, and the 11th leading cause of death for adults in general. On the whole, adult men as a subgroup are one of the most likely to experience suicide deaths. But even though death from suicide for young adults may be statistically rare, in recent years suicide deaths and attempts have been increasing at alarming rates. Between 2007 and 2018, the national suicide rate among persons aged 10–24 increased 57.4%, and in 2018, 18.8% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide and 8.9% attempted suicide. It is also important to note that the ratio of suicide attempts and suicide deaths among adolescents is estimated to be between 50:1 to 100:1.
Amongst high school students, 22% reporting that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year. However, specific suicide risk varies amongst subgroups.
Adolescent girls are twice as likely to attempt suicide as adolescent boys. However, adolescent boys are three times more likely to die by suicide, primarily due to the use of more lethal means such as firearms and hangings, compared to drug poisoning used by girls. Additionally, young girls are more likely to engage in help-seeking behaviors, such as talking about emotional problems, seeking out friends for help, and seeking out professionals for help, compared to young boys.
LGBTQIA+ Youth (ages 13–24) are at a heightened risk, with 41% seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year, and 14% actually attempting it (2023).
When it comes to youth suicide prevention, it is known that positive parental relationships, posititive relationships with trusted adults, access to care, healthy outlets to express emotions, and positive social support. For those who want to be that supportive adult in a young person’s lives, the first step is educate themselves about youth suicide. Then, to proactively form trusting relationships so that supporters are in a better position to notice and intervene should a crisis arise.
In the fight against youth suicide, fostering strong, supportive relationships can make a significant difference. Positive connections with parents, trusted adults, and friends, combined with access to mental health resources and healthy emotional outlets, are crucial for prevention. Those wanting to be supportive adults for young people should start by educating themselves about risk factors, protective factors, signs of suicidal ideation and triggering events. Then, focus on building genuine, trusting relationships with young people. This foundation of trust will make it easier to identify when someone might be struggling and to offer the right support when needed.
Andrea Boffice, MA, CPS, Content Development Specialist
