Teenagers Today
This article mentions suicidality. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to speak to a counselor. If it is an emergency, call 911. Other support resources are located below.
In today’s world, where inflation is increasing drastically, many high schoolers have bills to pay, jobs to do, and extracurriculars to attend. Students handle all this while trying to maintain their physical and, more importantly, mental health.
Studies show that 22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year. This percentage is highest among girls (30%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (27%), and lesbian, gay, or bisexual teens (45%).
More alarmingly, 10% of high school students attempted suicide in the past year. This percentage is highest among girls (13%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (16%), black teens (14%), and lesbian, gay, or bisexual teens (22%). This is an epidemic issue that seems to go underlooked. It’s important to note that those were only among the reported attempts.
So far this year, there have been 35,477 suicides worldwide. High school is when teenagers are more exposed to drugs and alcohol, coupled with the stress of teen life, it can lead to more devastating outcomes.
Many adults struggle to realize how much teens in this generation experience in juggling everything that goes on with school, politics, and life itself.
Personally, being a senior in high school who is dealing with the anxiety of applying to colleges and universities, getting a car, and working 35+ hours a week; life gets very tiring mentally, and physically. I am very blessed to have the support financially and mentally from family and friends, but I am very aware that many people around my age don’t have support from anyone and have to carry these burdens themselves and stress about paying rent, car insurance, and worry about the cost of college. This on top of being a full-time student comes with enough stress on its own. However, we have a supportive community at school and below are links available to teens that could help with the mental health and financial assistance you might need.
Mental Health:
National Institute for Mental Health
Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Services Administration
Mental Health America
The Trevor Project
Financial help:
St Louis Food Bank
Student Aid
Money Geek
