Thread by @tylerblack32, CW: Suicidology education**MINITHREAD: Suicidality in kids"Many youth, parents, teachers, & physicians I [...]

Tyler Black, MD

tylerblack32

CW: Suicidology education

**MINITHREAD: Suicidality in kids"

Many youth, parents, teachers, & physicians I work with don't understand the scope of *suicidal thinking* in youth. It's actually relatively common, and it does NOT mean that the child is going to die of suicide.

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Suicide is a top cause of death for children, but at the same time, death is quite rare for children. It's important to put this into perspective.

Using

CDC mortality & youth survey data, we can see that last year, 18.8% of high school kids "seriously considered suicide."

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Suicide is a top cause of death for children, but at the same time, death is quite rare for children. It's important to put this into perspective.Using CDC mortality & youth survey data, we can see that last year, 18.8% of high school kids "seriously considered suicide."/2

But the context is key. In 2018 (the last measured year available), the suicide rate was 0.0075% of youth 10-19. Overall, youth are about ~2900 times more likely to consider suicide than to die by suicide.

(

10-19 rate 6/100k,

rate much higher at 7.5/100k)

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That being said, suicidal thinking does have a moderate correlation with suicide rates. Here, by changing the axis - blue (left) is suicides per 100k and orange (right) is % seriously considering suicide - we can see a moderate correlation, with an r^2 of 0.33

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It is hard to hold on to scope and relative large numbers like that, so I'll try to do some quick math.

In a class of 30 kids, about 6 will seriously consider suicide. But in 450 such classrooms of 30 kids each, there will be one suicide.

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Parents, teachers, doctors: do not panic if a child expresses suicidal ideation. IT DOES NOT mean they need hospital or medication. Take it seriously. Listen. Discover risk factors/stresses. If you suspect depression or another mental health issue psychiatry is available.

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If you are worried about immediate safety, or there is a health reason, please help the child get to the nearest hospital or urgent service.

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Youth: if you are thinking suicide, you aren't alone, just seeking attention, or strange. It is common, & feeling "unlike others" is how these thoughts can grow.

Please hear: Your stress matters, your pain is real, and you can&will get through this.

https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/how-cope-thoughts-suicide

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How to cope with thoughts of suicide - Kids Help Phone

If you're feeling suicidal right now, here are some things you can do to get help.

https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/how-cope-thoughts-suicide

Youth:

text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868

text HOME to 741741