Suicide, the act of intentionally taking one’s own life, is a concept that has existed across time and cultures. The first-ever suicide note has been traced to before 2040 B.C. in Egypt. In Western cultures, suicide is traceable back to ancient Greece and was mostly considered a negative behavior — and at times even a crime — except for noble causes. Christian and Islamic cultures have a historic opposition to the act of suicide on spiritual grounds, viewing it as a sin, except in cases of martyrdom. But not all cultures view suicide negatively: The Japanese have a long history of honorable suicide, or “seppuku,” which was not uncommon among samurai.

As societies evolved, the act of suicide had more to do with personal escape than acts of honor. The 19th century saw an increased interest in the topic and the arrival of the first more compassionate studies, pointing out that the cause of suicide was often pain and grief, not moral failings or the devil. Conversations about suicide increased following World War II, when suicide rates in the U.S. for 15 to 24 year olds skyrocketed. Economic hardship, war and even springtime were all found to be associated with spikes in suicide rates. However, studies also show that cultures with rich community networks offer some protection against suicide, due in part to an enhanced sense of meaning and responsibility.

Why are suicide rates rising among youth in our century? Although young people are not facing war on U.S. soil, a war of some kind seems to be raging within. Feelings of not belonging or being accepted, the struggle to find themselves and where they fit in the world, the belief of not having the power to change things they deem important, all speak to that conflict. Along with watching their parents or guardians or experiencing firsthand growing income disparities, reduced upward mobility, overwhelming debt, unaffordable housing and an unjust society. Most people in the U.S. believe that the next generation will be worse off than the current generation. This may help explain why we’re seeing the highest spikes in youth suicide since World War II.

The pandemic has only added to the preexisting mental health problems among youth. Disruptions in learning, socialization and mentorship have led to significant deficits in the support and nurturing that young people depend on to navigate the many challenges of adolescence. Since the start of the pandemic, hospitals are seeing spikes in mental health crises among teens. For example, suicide attempts among girls ages 12 to 17 were up 51%.

Around 90% of young people who die by suicide have a history of at least one mental health issue, with depression being one of the leading causes. Depression rates have more than doubled among teens in recent years, with 15% of youth reporting at least one depressive episode in the last 12 months. But depression is just one factor. Other common disorders associated with suicide include anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and issues around substance misuse. In many instances, a youth who dies by suicide has no discernible diagnosis, leaving loved ones feeling blindsided. So what is happening? Why are we missing the warning signs?

Several high-profile cases of suicide have been in the news over the last few years. Shane O’Connor, the 17-year-old son of singer Sinead O’Connor, committed suicide while under medical care for his mental health. Seven Bridges, a 10-year-old boy who enjoyed laughing and playing jokes, died by suicide. According to reports, Bridges was one of nine students in Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools to commit suicide that year. Robin Wiliams, an award-winning, multitalented artist who brought joy and laughter to so many, took his life in 2014 at age 63. And there are others: from the successful 61-year-old chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain to famed 55-year old fashion designer Kate Spade and 26-year-old Inuit singer-songwriter Kelly Fraser.

Media outlets have spun various narratives about the whys and hows, but many of us were just left baffled. The fact is suicide has many more than just one face and sometimes there are no clues and even less closure after suicide occurs.

There is no demographic left untouched by suicide. Suicide rates are highest among native populations, due to a devastating legacy of genocide and disenfranchisement. Latinx adolescents are at an increasing risk, with young Latinx women twice as likely to attempt suicide as white teens. Suicide is now the leading cause of death among Asian American young adults between the ages of 15 to 24.

Princeton economists Angus Deaton and Anne Case coined the phrase deaths of despair in their 2015 research, showing a staggering increase in suicide rates among white middle-aged Americans without a college degree. In the Black community, there has also been a surge among young people. Black children under the age of 12 are twice as likely to die by suicide than their white counterparts. “[Within the Black Community], we're losing the future generations, while the [White community] is losing its older generations. That's the difference,” said Sean Joe, PhD, a Professor of Social Development at Washington University in an interview with OZY.

These alarming statistics raise the question: What is happening in today’s society that is leading an increasing number of young people to believe that death is an easier alternative to life? What’s causing more of our youth and young adults to consider or choose suicide? Could it be that the combination of pain, stress, hopelessness and disconnection has deprived youth of the sense of a happy future? How do we alleviate the emotional load and reinstate feelings of hope?

The shockwaves created when people who seemingly “have it all” decide to end it all speak to the fact that what we may perceive as bringing fulfillment does not necessarily reflect the lived experience of those who die by their own hand. While some obvious signs — like persistent talk about death and hopelessness — may seem self-evident, more often than not, it comes down to a deeply individual struggle with pain and the need for relief.

As a society, there has to be a shift toward reconnection. Normalizing imperfection and struggle, extending supporting hands to ease entrenched problems and nurturing purpose in our lives are all essential to curbing the current trends.

Factors fueling feelings of hopelessness across all communities deserve more attention. If we aren’t nurturing our youth and one another, we are forsaking our very future. The guarantees of liberal and inclusive democracy are meant to ensure that no ethnic group, class or business dominates or exploits others.

How are we doing in our efforts to reach this goal? What does the state of our democracy say about how we are living together and finding purpose together?

Rebuilding a sense of community and connection is essential. How do we restore feelings of belonging, purpose and hope among all of us — and especially our youth? What needs to be done on a personal, community, state and federal level to make sure change happens?

Reducing stigma and empowering youth with the language and skills to understand their symptoms and know when to ask for help should be considered an essential service. What policy and infrastructure changes are needed to ensure that young people have access to these services well before they are in the midst of a mental health crisis? Could offering a basic education on depression, anxiety and suicide be part of our school curriculum?

Ensuring access to quality, affordable and culturally competent mental health care is also vital. What needs to be done to ensure that every child, adolescent and young adult has resources that will help reduce emotional distress and help them navigate their pain? Who needs to step up to make these changes happen?

Research is a key to understanding. We need to invest in academic studies and research to gain a better understanding of how to help build resilience for all, especially our youth. What needs to change in social media and tech companies to protect our youth from the risks social media poses to their mental wellbeing? What needs to change in our society to reduce our crisis of despair?

Have you ever shared your struggles with mental health? Feeling free to talk about our challenges and our darkest moments still feels forbidden to many. How can we reduce stigma and encourage conversations around mental health?

All signs point to the fact that young people aren’t getting the support they need for building mental health and flourishing. More work is needed to learn how to balance the pressures of our digital world and mounting societal pressures with our mental health. The most commonly reported reasons for suicide include stressful life events, suicide imitation (contagion) and the availability of means such as drugs and gun access. Although not all suicides can be prevented, they can certainly be reduced. Where is the change most needed right now?

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-273-TALK or Text the Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741. All are free and available 24/7.

What should we do to curb the suicide epidemic? Join the conversation and share with us on FB, IG, Twitter with the hashtag #ElevatetheConversation #OZY #MentalHealth #OurFuture #SuicidePrevention

“Veteran suicide continues to go without the attention it deserves; the military trains young men and women for combat, teaches them how to mask any perceived weakness, and then releases them back into the civilian world without adequate support.”

- Kelly

We want to hear from you! How we can help curb the rising number of people who contemplate suicide? We’d love to hear your thoughts of how to support those with mental health challenges. Write to us at: [email protected] and Take our Poll.