News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new CDC report this week shows 1 and 3 teenage girls have considered suicide.
In 2011, less than a fifth of teen girls considered suicide. Upper Cumberland Suicide Prevention Network Director Michael Anderson said the numbers may seem shocking, but more people today talk about their mental health.
“Sometimes these reports come out and these statistics come out, and it is not always a function that people are more mentally ill than they used to,” Anderson said. “Many times it is a function of because of our technology, we are more likely to see when someone is struggling.”
Anderson said teenage depression has also increased over the past 20 years. Anderson said he contributes the increase to the same reason that stigmas are slowly being removed from mental health.
“Clinical depression and thought of suicide are not new,” Anderson said. “I think what this shows that we are much better at identifying and discussing when we have thought of suicide. People are more apt to talk about their problems now, so that is probably the message that I would take away from that report.”
Anderson said the numbers are still concerning though. Anderson said the report provides an opportunity to share that it is okay to struggle, and there are avenues to seek help.
“9-8-8 is the easiest way,” Anderson said. “You can call 9-8-8, you can text, you can chat on the computer. There are trained listeners ready and standing by. There are a lot of great resources. I would say TSPN.org is a great resource about suicide prevention.”
