Tackling The Teen Suicide Crisis
Rising Rates of Suicide Among Teens in 2024
Important: If you are in acute distress and have suicidal thoughts, you should see a professional straight away.
There are moments when we come across numbers that seem impossible to comprehend, statistics so heartbreaking that they leave us shaken. One such statistic in 2024 is this:
suicide is now the second leading cause of death among teenagers worldwide.
Let that sink in for a moment. The second leading cause of death — behind only accidents. And even more devastatingly, the numbers are rising. In a world where teens are facing more pressures than ever before, it’s important that we address this crisis head-on. We cannot shy away from the conversations that might feel uncomfortable, because lives — our teens’ lives — depend on it.
The 2024 Suicide Statistic That Should Stop Us All in Our Tracks
As we look at the data, it’s alarming to see that suicide rates among teens have increased by 30% over the last decade. To make this even more immediate, more than 800,000 people die by suicide every year, and approximately 15% of these deaths are teenagers.
In 2024, 1 in 5 teens has seriously contemplated suicide (CDC), and 9% have made a suicide attempt. That’s nearly 1 in 10 teens who feel so hopeless, so desperate, that they’ve tried to take their own life.
These statistics should terrify us, but they should also serve as a wake-up call. Something has to change. We can no longer treat teen mental health as an afterthought or assume that “kids will be kids.” The truth is that our children are hurting, and it’s up to all of us — parents, educators, mental health professionals, and society as a whole — to turn the tide.
What’s Driving the Increase in Teen Suicide?
Understanding the root causes of the rise in teen suicide is important if we want to create meaningful solutions. The reasons behind suicide are complex and multi-layered, but there are some common factors that can help explain why this crisis is escalating.
Today’s teens are living in a world that demands constant perfection. Whether it’s excelling in academics, being accepted into prestigious universities, maintaining a flawless social media presence, or living up to familial expectations, many teens feel like they’re drowning in pressure. This intense environment leaves little room for mistakes, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy..
Social media has also become a leading cause for this mental health crisis among teenagers. Constant exposure to unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness makes many teens feel “less than.” For those who experience cyberbullying, the consequences can be devastating. Victims of cyberbullying are
2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Despite being more “connected” than ever through technology, teens are feeling more isolated. The pandemic only worsened this, with many teens losing important social connections and support systems. Isolation often breeds feelings of loneliness, depression, and hopelessness, which can contribute to suicidal ideation.
For many teens, asking for help is still a monumental hurdle. In some cultures, talking about mental health remains taboo, and in others, there’s a misconception that teens are simply “dramatic” or “going through a phase.” As a result, many teens suffer in silence, feeling as though there’s no one who understands or can help them.
We’ve made strides in mental health awareness, but many teens still don’t receive the support they need. The reasons for this are both systemic and cultural.
For many teens, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, access to mental health services is limited. Even in places where therapy is available, it can be prohibitively expensive, leaving many without help.
Despite more open conversations about mental health, many teens still feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit they’re struggling. They fear being judged, ridiculed, or labeled as “crazy” by their peers.
Suicidal thoughts don’t always manifest in clear, recognizable ways. Teens who are struggling may mask their pain behind humor, sarcasm, or even anger. Many parents and teachers may not recognize the signs until it’s too late.
For some teens, the feeling that “nothing will ever get better” becomes overwhelming. They may have tried to reach out for help but didn’t receive the support they needed, reinforcing their belief that there’s no solution.
How Can We Change the Story?
Suicide is preventable. It’s not an inevitable outcome, but it requires that we all step up and take action to address this growing crisis.
The work to prevent it needs to start early, in school, in the home, and on social media. The key to prevention is to teach teens how to understand and regulate their own emotions.
The first step to preventing suicide is breaking the silence around it. We need to create safe spaces where teens feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can be uncomfortable, but it could save a life.
Affordable, accessible mental health care is essential in preventing suicide. Schools should have on-site counselors, and communities should advocate for easier access to mental health services.
Given that teens spend much of their time online, digital solutions like HappierMe can play a vital role in preventing teen suicide. HappierMe is designed to meet teens where they are — on their phones — but in ways that promote emotional well-being, build resilience, and encourage connection.
Learning to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior is critical. These signs can include talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or trapped, withdrawing from friends or family, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, and reckless behavior. Parents, teachers, and peers should all be aware of these signs and take them seriously.
How HappierMe is Making a Difference
HappierMe provides resources to help teens manage their acute emotional distress and overwhelming emotions, through breathing exercises, meditations, tapping exercises and online journaling aided by guided questions. There is also a community forum where they can ask one of our trained coaches a question anonymously. They can also access coaches for individual conversations.
The Teen Talk section of the app features conversations with Teenagers who have overcome their challenges and serve as an inspiration to others.
It also provides tools to help them make sense of their feelings and deal with the root causes of their stress and anxiety, which often lie in the automatic way their minds react to the challenges they face.
By helping teens understand themselves and regulate their emotions, develop their emotional intelligence, build meaningful friendships, and learn to open up and communicate what they really feel, HappierMe helps them deal with problems long before they become a crisis. It also has modules on stress, depression and anxiety to help those who cannot access professional help in a timely manner.
One of the biggest challenges for teens is feeling alone. HappierMe offers an anonymous, supportive community where users can connect with others who are going through similar struggles. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. Modules on Communication and Relationships help them to deepen their connection with others and build meaningful friendships.
The work to prevent suicidal thoughts and teen suicides needs to begin when the sun is shining, when it is much easier, rather than in the middle of the storm. This is the focus of HappierMe. To find out more, visit
https://happierme.app, or download HappierMe from the app stores. There is a free trial.
In 2024, 1 in 5 teens has seriously contemplated suicide (CDC), and 9% have made a suicide attempt. That’s nearly 1 in 10 teens who feel so hopeless, so desperate, that they’ve tried to take their own life.
These statistics should terrify us, but they should also serve as a wake-up call. Something has to change. We can no longer treat teen mental health as an afterthought or assume that “kids will be kids.” The truth is that our children are hurting, and it’s up to all of us — parents, educators, mental health professionals, and society as a whole — to turn the tide.
What’s Driving the Increase in Teen Suicide?
Understanding the root causes of the rise in teen suicide is important if we want to create meaningful solutions. The reasons behind suicide are complex and multi-layered, but there are some common factors that can help explain why this crisis is escalating.
Today’s teens are living in a world that demands constant perfection. Whether it’s excelling in academics, being accepted into prestigious universities, maintaining a flawless social media presence, or living up to familial expectations, many teens feel like they’re drowning in pressure. This intense environment leaves little room for mistakes, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy..
Social media has also become a leading cause for this mental health crisis among teenagers. Constant exposure to unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness makes many teens feel “less than.” For those who experience cyberbullying, the consequences can be devastating. Victims of cyberbullying are
2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Despite being more “connected” than ever through technology, teens are feeling more isolated. The pandemic only worsened this, with many teens losing important social connections and support systems. Isolation often breeds feelings of loneliness, depression, and hopelessness, which can contribute to suicidal ideation.
For many teens, asking for help is still a monumental hurdle. In some cultures, talking about mental health remains taboo, and in others, there’s a misconception that teens are simply “dramatic” or “going through a phase.” As a result, many teens suffer in silence, feeling as though there’s no one who understands or can help them.
We’ve made strides in mental health awareness, but many teens still don’t receive the support they need. The reasons for this are both systemic and cultural.
For many teens, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, access to mental health services is limited. Even in places where therapy is available, it can be prohibitively expensive, leaving many without help.
Despite more open conversations about mental health, many teens still feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit they’re struggling. They fear being judged, ridiculed, or labeled as “crazy” by their peers.
Suicidal thoughts don’t always manifest in clear, recognizable ways. Teens who are struggling may mask their pain behind humor, sarcasm, or even anger. Many parents and teachers may not recognize the signs until it’s too late.
For some teens, the feeling that “nothing will ever get better” becomes overwhelming. They may have tried to reach out for help but didn’t receive the support they needed, reinforcing their belief that there’s no solution.
How Can We Change the Story?
Suicide is preventable. It’s not an inevitable outcome, but it requires that we all step up and take action to address this growing crisis.
The work to prevent it needs to start early, in school, in the home, and on social media. The key to prevention is to teach teens how to understand and regulate their own emotions.
The first step to preventing suicide is breaking the silence around it. We need to create safe spaces where teens feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can be uncomfortable, but it could save a life.
Affordable, accessible mental health care is essential in preventing suicide. Schools should have on-site counselors, and communities should advocate for easier access to mental health services.
Given that teens spend much of their time online, digital solutions like HappierMe can play a vital role in preventing teen suicide. HappierMe is designed to meet teens where they are — on their phones — but in ways that promote emotional well-being, build resilience, and encourage connection.
Learning to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior is critical. These signs can include talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or trapped, withdrawing from friends or family, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, and reckless behavior. Parents, teachers, and peers should all be aware of these signs and take them seriously.
How HappierMe is Making a Difference
HappierMe provides resources to help teens manage their acute emotional distress and overwhelming emotions, through breathing exercises, meditations, tapping exercises and online journaling aided by guided questions. There is also a community forum where they can ask one of our trained coaches a question anonymously. They can also access coaches for individual conversations.
The Teen Talk section of the app features conversations with Teenagers who have overcome their challenges and serve as an inspiration to others.
It also provides tools to help them make sense of their feelings and deal with the root causes of their stress and anxiety, which often lie in the automatic way their minds react to the challenges they face.
By helping teens understand themselves and regulate their emotions, develop their emotional intelligence, build meaningful friendships, and learn to open up and communicate what they really feel, HappierMe helps them deal with problems long before they become a crisis. It also has modules on stress, depression and anxiety to help those who cannot access professional help in a timely manner.
One of the biggest challenges for teens is feeling alone. HappierMe offers an anonymous, supportive community where users can connect with others who are going through similar struggles. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. Modules on Communication and Relationships help them to deepen their connection with others and build meaningful friendships.
The work to prevent suicidal thoughts and teen suicides needs to begin when the sun is shining, when it is much easier, rather than in the middle of the storm. This is the focus of HappierMe. To find out more, visit
https://happierme.app, or download HappierMe from the app stores. There is a free trial.
For many teens, asking for help is still a monumental hurdle. In some cultures, talking about mental health remains taboo, and in others, there’s a misconception that teens are simply “dramatic” or “going through a phase.” As a result, many teens suffer in silence, feeling as though there’s no one who understands or can help them.
We’ve made strides in mental health awareness, but many teens still don’t receive the support they need. The reasons for this are both systemic and cultural.
For many teens, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, access to mental health services is limited. Even in places where therapy is available, it can be prohibitively expensive, leaving many without help.
Despite more open conversations about mental health, many teens still feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit they’re struggling. They fear being judged, ridiculed, or labeled as “crazy” by their peers.
Suicidal thoughts don’t always manifest in clear, recognizable ways. Teens who are struggling may mask their pain behind humor, sarcasm, or even anger. Many parents and teachers may not recognize the signs until it’s too late.
For some teens, the feeling that “nothing will ever get better” becomes overwhelming. They may have tried to reach out for help but didn’t receive the support they needed, reinforcing their belief that there’s no solution.
How Can We Change the Story?
Suicide is preventable. It’s not an inevitable outcome, but it requires that we all step up and take action to address this growing crisis.
The work to prevent it needs to start early, in school, in the home, and on social media. The key to prevention is to teach teens how to understand and regulate their own emotions.
The first step to preventing suicide is breaking the silence around it. We need to create safe spaces where teens feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can be uncomfortable, but it could save a life.
Affordable, accessible mental health care is essential in preventing suicide. Schools should have on-site counselors, and communities should advocate for easier access to mental health services.
Given that teens spend much of their time online, digital solutions like HappierMe can play a vital role in preventing teen suicide. HappierMe is designed to meet teens where they are — on their phones — but in ways that promote emotional well-being, build resilience, and encourage connection.
Learning to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior is critical. These signs can include talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or trapped, withdrawing from friends or family, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, and reckless behavior. Parents, teachers, and peers should all be aware of these signs and take them seriously.
How HappierMe is Making a Difference
HappierMe provides resources to help teens manage their acute emotional distress and overwhelming emotions, through breathing exercises, meditations, tapping exercises and online journaling aided by guided questions. There is also a community forum where they can ask one of our trained coaches a question anonymously. They can also access coaches for individual conversations.
The Teen Talk section of the app features conversations with Teenagers who have overcome their challenges and serve as an inspiration to others.
It also provides tools to help them make sense of their feelings and deal with the root causes of their stress and anxiety, which often lie in the automatic way their minds react to the challenges they face.
By helping teens understand themselves and regulate their emotions, develop their emotional intelligence, build meaningful friendships, and learn to open up and communicate what they really feel, HappierMe helps them deal with problems long before they become a crisis. It also has modules on stress, depression and anxiety to help those who cannot access professional help in a timely manner.
One of the biggest challenges for teens is feeling alone. HappierMe offers an anonymous, supportive community where users can connect with others who are going through similar struggles. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. Modules on Communication and Relationships help them to deepen their connection with others and build meaningful friendships.
The work to prevent suicidal thoughts and teen suicides needs to begin when the sun is shining, when it is much easier, rather than in the middle of the storm. This is the focus of HappierMe. To find out more, visit
https://happierme.app, or download HappierMe from the app stores. There is a free trial.
The Teen Talk section of the app features conversations with Teenagers who have overcome their challenges and serve as an inspiration to others.
It also provides tools to help them make sense of their feelings and deal with the root causes of their stress and anxiety, which often lie in the automatic way their minds react to the challenges they face.
By helping teens understand themselves and regulate their emotions, develop their emotional intelligence, build meaningful friendships, and learn to open up and communicate what they really feel, HappierMe helps them deal with problems long before they become a crisis. It also has modules on stress, depression and anxiety to help those who cannot access professional help in a timely manner.
One of the biggest challenges for teens is feeling alone. HappierMe offers an anonymous, supportive community where users can connect with others who are going through similar struggles. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. Modules on Communication and Relationships help them to deepen their connection with others and build meaningful friendships.
The work to prevent suicidal thoughts and teen suicides needs to begin when the sun is shining, when it is much easier, rather than in the middle of the storm. This is the focus of HappierMe. To find out more, visit
https://happierme.app, or download HappierMe from the app stores. There is a free trial.
One of the biggest challenges for teens is feeling alone. HappierMe offers an anonymous, supportive community where users can connect with others who are going through similar struggles. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a world of difference. Modules on Communication and Relationships help them to deepen their connection with others and build meaningful friendships.
The work to prevent suicidal thoughts and teen suicides needs to begin when the sun is shining, when it is much easier, rather than in the middle of the storm. This is the focus of HappierMe. To find out more, visit
https://happierme.app, or download HappierMe from the app stores. There is a free trial.
Understand your mind. Live a happier life.
Life can be tough. The HappierMe app is your personal guide to help you feel better now, but also to take you deeper to understand your thoughts and feelings. It supports you to become the person you want to be, to be happier, manage your emotions and succeed in the world. There are also coaches you can speak to through the app.
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