When Living Becomes Harder than Dying

www.ozy.com [OZY]() Your World. Bold & Bright Feb 27, 2022 Introduction Content Warning: This edition of Elevate the Conversation contains an in-depth discussion of mental health and suicide. Suicide is now the [second leading cause of death]( among tweens, teens and young adults. Even before the pandemic, between 2009 and 2020 the number of high school students who reported feeling sad or hopeless [increased by 40%](, and suicide rates for people ages 10 to 24 [increased by 56%]( between 2000 and 2018. In recent years, there has been no shortage of media coverage showing seemingly happy and successful people who die by suicide. From teenagers like [Shane O’Connor]( to young adults like [former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst]( and [Ian Alexander, the son of actress Regina King](. What once felt like a rare occurrence now feels like a tidal wave. In this issue of Elevate the Conversation, we examine what’s behind the increasing rates of death by suicides. Why are more people, especially young people, considering suicide? What makes them feel that death is more appealing than life? What does this tell us about the world we live in? And what intentional steps can we take to help more people choose life? Context A Brief History of Suicide 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](. The Evolution of Suicide 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. Understanding Root Causes The Data: Feeling Worse Off 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, A Pronounced Problem 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%](. Is Depression to Blame? 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? The Many Faces of Suicide 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. The Numbers Don’t Lie Suicide Rates Are Growing in All Demographics 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. [Read More]( 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. The Heart of the Matter 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? [READ MORE]( Black Women Own the Conversation Watch [Black Women Own the Conversation: Mind, Body and Soul]( as they discuss strategies to heal Wake-Up Call Warning Signs of Suicide 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. Digging Deeper 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? [Take Our Poll: What can we collectively do to encourage more connection/community? What can you specifically do?]( Where Do We Go From Here? What Can We Do? 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? Awareness 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? Accessible Resources 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? [Read More]( Learn From the Past 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? Start the Conversation 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? Canaries in a Coal Mine 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? Resources If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, there is help. 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. [Online Therapy Options]( JOIN THE CONVERSATION 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 Audience quote: “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 COMMUNITY CORNER 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:  OzyCommunity@ozy.com and [Take our Poll.]( [Take Our Poll]( Results of Last Week’s Cancel Culture Poll ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. [www.ozy.com]( / #OZY Curiosity. Enthusiasm. Action. That’s OZY! [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( A Modern Media Company OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](