In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in suicidal tendencies among young people worldwide. The alarming statistics of young individuals ending their lives or attempting suicide have sparked pervasive debates and discussions in numerous countries, including India. The youth, who are regarded as the future and hope of society, are becoming more susceptible to mental health issues, which frequently result in irreversible repercussions.
Comprehending the Increase in Suicidal Behaviours among Young People
Suicide has emerged as one of the most prevalent causes of mortality among young individuals, particularly those aged 15 to 29. Suicidal thoughts and tendencies frequently manifest as a result of a variety of underlying causes, such as emotional distress, mental health disorders, and social factors, even though many of us may not always anticipate them. A more comprehensive examination of the factors that have contributed to this alarming increase is provided below:
- Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety, Depression, and Other Conditions
In youth, suicidal ideation is frequently precipitated by mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and melancholy. Regrettably, there is still a stigma associated with mental health challenges in numerous regions of the globe. Young individuals who are coping with these conditions may experience feelings of hopelessness as a result of feeling isolated, misunderstood, or embarrassed of their circumstances. The dread of being judged or a lack of awareness regarding available support systems are the primary reasons why many individuals refrain from seeking assistance. - Stress at school
In countries where doing well in school is seen as the most important thing that will determine future success, young people may feel a lot of pressure to do well on tests, activities outside of school, and schoolwork. People who are easily depressed can give up because they are under so much pressure to meet the unreasonable standards of parents, teachers, or peers. This stress can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and finally thoughts of suicide.3. Cyberbullying and social media
You see, with the rise of social media, young people are constantly seeing fake pictures of life, success, and beauty standards. Social media sites can make teens and young adults feel bad about themselves by comparing themselves to others. Cyberbullying and other forms of internet harassment are also becoming more common. Bullying that never stops, whether it’s online or off, has a big effect on mental health and makes a lot of teens think about committing suicide as a way to escape their pain. - Problems with family and domestic violence
The home life of teens and young adults is very important to their mental health. Family ties that don’t work, domestic violence, or the breakdown of family structures can make people feel alone, afraid, and emotionally upset. When kids and teens go through this kind of trauma, they might not be able to handle their feelings, which could lead to sadness, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.5. Being alone and not having enough social support
A lot of young people today feel more and more alone. Some teens and young adults feel alone and disconnected, whether it’s because of stress at school, personal problems, or being turned down by their friends. When teens and young adults don’t have a strong support system or trusted adults to talk to, their feelings can become too much to handle. If they don’t have a good support system, they might do bad things to get away from their problems.
6. Abuse of drugs
Abusing drugs is another big reason why young people might act desperate. Teenagers and young adults who abuse drugs or drink are more likely to have mood swings, bad judgment, and emotional instability. Using these drugs can make depressed, anxious, and hopeless feelings worse, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.The Psychological Effects: Why Young People Feel Like They Want to Kill their self
People in their teens and early 20s are still finding out who they are, what they want to do with their lives, and how to get along with others. For many, these years can be hard on their minds and emotions. Teenagers usually start to think about suicide when they feel like they can’t get away from their physical, emotional, or mental pain.Teenagers and young adults who are dealing with sadness, anxiety, or trauma may feel like there is no way for their lives to get better. It’s possible that their mental strength has been weakened, and they may feel like they are the only ones going through this hard time. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have the tools to deal with these emotions or handle them, which makes the risk even higher.
Why we need to talk about youth suicidal thoughts: breaking the silence
To keep young lives from being lost, it is important to raise knowledge and deal with suicidal thoughts. We need to make it safe for teens and young adults to talk about their feelings, ask for help, and know that having a mental illness like depression, anxiety, or another problem is not something to be ashamed of. Here’s how we can face the problem head-on:
1. Raising awareness about mental health
Getting more people to know about mental health and how it affects young people is the first and most important step. Communities, schools, and colleges should all have mental health programs for teens and young adults that teach them how to spot the signs of anxiety, sadness, and other mental health problems. Teens and young adults can be more likely to get help when they know about counseling services, helplines, and psychological support.
2. Stop making mental health problems look bad
We need to get rid of the shame that surrounds mental health. Teenagers are less likely to ask for help when they think someone will judge them for their problems. By having mental health chats that are open and don’t judge, we can get people to talk about their feelings and get professional help without worrying about being labeled.
3. Services for support and counseling
To stop young people from committing suicide, it’s important to make counseling services easy to get to and private. Students should be able to talk to qualified therapists about their problems in high schools, colleges, and universities that offer counseling services. Also, governments and non-profits should work together to make mental health resources easier for people to access, especially in rural places where these services are often rare.
4. Supporting healthy relationships and help from other students
Youth who feel alone can feel less alone if they have good social interactions and a sense of community. Young people can improve their relationships with teachers, family, and friends by taking part in programs that teach them how to talk to each other and encourage group support. This social support can be very important for their mental health.
5. Being aware of and using social media responsibly
Kids and teens need to learn how to be safe online from their parents, teachers, and everyone else. Social media sites should promote tools for mental health and campaigns to stop bullying. Also, parents and guardians should keep an eye on and control what their kids do online to keep them safe from harmful material and cyberbullying.
6. Help with mental health issues and early intervention
If a young person shows signs of sadness, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, help needs to be given right away. There should be ways for schools and colleges to quickly spot people who are at risk and get them in touch with counseling or mental services. Additionally, parents are very important in spotting warning signs and helping their kids before things get worse.
The fact that more and more young people are thinking about suicide is a problem that we can’t ignore. We need to work together to solve the problems that are causing this problem because it affects everyone. We can make sure that our teens and young adults who are dealing with depression, anxiety, and other disorders don’t feel alone by raising knowledge about mental health, setting up support networks, and lowering the shame that surrounds mental health problems.
Let’s work together as a society to make a caring and encouraging space where young people can learn how to take care of their mental health and are given hope for a better future. If you or someone you know is having suicidal ideas, you should get help. There is always support, and therapy can be the first step towards getting better.
