Seven thousand. 

Suicide took the lives of over seven thousand U.S. teenagers between the age of 10-24, accounting for over 15% of all suicides in the U.S., and making it the second leading cause of death for this age group. 

In our generation, which is more aware of mental health issues than any before because of our open-mindedness and access to information, one would expect those numbers to be lower. Yet, somehow, they are on the rise. In 2022, the number of suicides was the highest it has ever been, increasing by 16% and accounting for over half a million deaths in just an eleven year time period (2011-2022).

There’s a story that is told from generation to generation. Every generation faces numerous traumatic events that ultimately shape the people who live through them. For Baby Boomers, it was The Vietnam War. For Generation X it was The Cold War. For Millenials, it was the 9/11 attacks. For us, it was COVID-19.

Our generation can be defined in one word: isolated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone was locked inside, away from human interaction. This contributed greatly to the decline in mental health, and taught young people a lack of empathy and patterns of reckless behaviors that have been prominent ever since.

Further contributing to our lack of social awareness is our dependence on technology and social media. People believe they are “connected” when interacting through social media, when, in reality, it just desensitizes us from real human connection and emotions. The internet can be a dark place. Being exposed to constant negativity through unlimited internet access at a young age further creates an isolated, emotionally inept society. 

While we have made tremendous strides in mental health resources compared to past generations, our generations’ mental health continues to decline. The more that awareness surrounding mental health issues increases, the more strides we can make in becoming a happier society. It is important that we, as a society, use that information to take the necessary steps in the right direction. This includes things like spending more time outside, having meaningful conversations and being aware of our actions on social media. 

The number of suicides in recent years is far too high, and it will only continue to increase until we do something about it. With the rise of technology, we have unlimited access to information, which we could use to continue feeding the negativity growing in the world, or to educate ourselves and make the world a better place.