“I can’t endure this any longer. The voices are growing louder, and I feel trapped. Life is becoming unbearable, and I don’t want to go on. Please, I need help.” As I sit across from her, I see desperation etched in her features, mingling with fear and sorrow that spill from her tear-streaked face. Her hands tremble, the only aspect of her life she feels she can manage.
After taking a moment to gather herself, she answers some questions—questions I dread asking as a school counselor. I usually start with three straightforward, yet daunting, inquiries. Sometimes, it’s easier to dive right in; they are often aware of what’s coming.
- “Are you having thoughts of self-harm or suicide?”
- “Do you have a plan?”
- “Do you have the means to carry it out?”
The last question feels especially heavy. After 15 years of asking, it still holds a grave finality. If a young person is confident enough in their plan to possess the means, we are perilously close to losing them.
Conversations like this occur daily, whether in a counselor’s office, a classroom, or even among friends and family. The very act of discussing these feelings is a sign of hope. It’s the silent ones we worry about—the ones who have already answered those questions in their minds and slipped away before we could reach them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, there were 42,773 reported suicides, ranking it as the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. This statistic is haunting—on average, a person succumbed to suicide every 12.3 minutes. For youth aged 10 to 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death, claiming around 4,600 lives annually. The primary methods of suicide among young people include firearms (45 percent), suffocation (40 percent), and poisoning (8 percent).
Yet, the issue extends beyond just those who die; countless others survive their attempts. A nationwide survey of high school students revealed that 16 percent seriously considered suicide, 13 percent made a plan, and 8 percent attempted to take their life in the past year.
One winter morning stands out in my memory. The dim light of my office illuminated the silhouette of a student seated in one of my chairs—a sight I hadn’t anticipated. It was the very student I often worried about, the one who occupied my thoughts long after I left work each day. His head hung low, hands shaking, tears welling in his eyes as he looked up and confessed, “I almost went through with it last night.”
I felt the urge to jump into action, to start my routine of questions, but instead, I just listened.
“I was in my room with a gun. It was loaded, in my mouth, finger on the trigger, and then I heard my mom calling out my name. I stopped.”
Even years later, the pain in his story resonates deeply within me. The anguish and hopelessness he felt were overwhelming, making death seem like the only solution. Yet, it was his mother’s voice that interrupted his darkest moment, forever changing the course of his life.
Time is something we emphasize with young people. Many report fleeting urges to end their lives. If they can push through that moment, they often find reasons to keep living. If they lack access to means, or if someone interrupts their thoughts, they can seek help before those feelings return. Establishing a lifeline—a supportive person in their lives—can make all the difference.
Identifying a trusted individual to confide in is crucial in our battle to protect their lives. Human connection is powerful; sometimes, a simple gesture of kindness or understanding can spark a path towards healing.
While I wish I had a definitive answer for curbing youth suicides, the statistics can feel overwhelming. Every life lost is one too many. What remains clear is that our youth need us. They must see hope in our eyes and feel accepted and heard when they reach out for help.
We need to remind them to hold on. There is support. There is optimism. They are not alone. Their story does not have to end this way.
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In summary, youth suicide is a pressing issue, and open conversations can pave the way for hope. By fostering trust and connection, we can help our young people navigate their struggles and remind them that they are never alone.