NATALIE GABBARD

MHR, LPC

Editor’s Note: September is National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month and therefore we will be covering a critical and often overlooked issue: the alarming rate of suicides in rural Oklahoma. In this four-part series, we will delve into the unique challenges faced by our communities, where isolation, limited resources, and stigma can create formidable barriers to mental health support. Our goal is to spark conversation, inspire action, and offer hope to those in need. This is part three.

– In today’s digital age, social media has become an essential part of daily life, especially for young people. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are central to how teenagers and young adults communicate, express themselves, and stay connected with the world. While these platforms offer many benefits, we need to be aware of the prolonged effects of the impact on one’s mental health and overall well-being.

According to recent studies, over 90 percent of teenagers in the United States are active on social media, spending an average of three hours per day on various platforms.

While social media was initially celebrated as a groundbreaking tool for connection and self-expression, it has also revealed a troubling downside: the surge in cyberbullying has been linked to a disturbing rise in suicide rates among teenagers. “Likes,” comments and shares can often feel like measures of personal worth.

Children and adolescents are increasingly immersed in online activities and social media, spending more time than ever engaging with digital content. Scientific studies have highlighted the negative impacts of social media and technology on youth development. Research indicates that extensive online time can take away from real- life social interactions and human connection, leading to heightened feelings of loneliness and other mental health issues despite frequent virtual connections.

Moreover, heavy social media use often interferes with essential activities such as physical exercise, sleep and in-person interactions which are factors critical for maintaining mental health. The disruption of these routines can contribute to negative mental health outcomes.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), reports that in 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for early adolescents aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause for older adolescents aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. From 2007 to 2019, the suicide rate among youth surged by 57 percent.

Furthermore, minority youth experience disproportionately high rates of suicide compared to their White peers. Notably, American Indian and Alaska Native communities face the highest suicide rates of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S., affecting both adults and adolescents.

Nonetheless, research is emerging suggesting social media can also be a valuable tool for identifying children at risk of mental health issues. Thus, it’s crucial to understand and address the potential harms of digital technology, and equally important to explore how these platforms can be effectively used to enhance mental health support and pinpoint those in need of intervention.

According to a report released by NIMH, there has been a marked increase in self-reported cases of bullying online, and a correlated rise in severe mental health crises among teens.

“Cyberbullying,” involves traditional bullying behaviors, such as verbal abuse, mocking, insults, and threats and is conducted through electronic means like email, mobile phones, text messages, and social media.

Unlike face-to-face bullying, which typically happens in school environments, cyberbullying can occur anytime and anywhere, allowing perpetrators to inflict harm, humiliation, fear, and despair without direct contact. Research evidence suggests children and young people under age 25 who were victims of cyberbullying are twice as likely to engage in self-harm and suicidal behaviors than their non-victim peers.

Disturbingly there have been increases in suicide rates among children aged five to nine, with suicide now ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in this age group.

— Prevention & Intervention

There is a major need for increased fund raising dedicated to reducing youth suicide rates by funding research that enhances understanding of its causes and by identifying effective strategies to mitigate risk. This includes supporting practice-based research to test interventions tailored for children and funding the development of screening tools to identify at-risk children before they engage in harmful behaviors.

There are efforts to improve screening and care delivery in medical settings like emergency departments and primary care. By focusing research on these points of care, the goal is to improve practices and ultimately reduce suicide rates.

Researchers recommend that schools adopt anti-bullying programs tailored to the needs of both victims and perpetrators while promoting inclusivity. They emphasize that suicide prevention and intervention should be integral to any comprehensive anti-bullying strategy. This approach should involve the entire school community, including raising awareness and providing training for both staff and students.