Suicidal Thoughts on the Rise with Teens and Young Adults

Suicidal Thoughts on the Rise with Teens and Young Adults

The attached article from the Wall Street Journal is especially concerning for me as I am the Father of teenage sons.  A June 2020 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that over a quarter (25.5%) of 18 to 24 year olds have seriously considered suicide in the last 30 days and E.R. visits after a suicide attempt had risen over 50% among 12 to 17 year old girls as compared to 2019.  In 2019, 8/9% of High School students made an attempt to take their life.

Your teenager may be taller than you and could be smarter than you were at their age, but they are not yet “grown.”  Most experts believe that the brain is not fully developed until age 25, when the pre-frontal cortex generally becomes fully developed.  The pre-frontal cortex deals with reasoning, planning, judgment and impulse control, which is one reason why teens and young adults often make rash decisions based more on emotions than in considering the consequences of their choices.

Teens and young adults just don’t have the coping skills to deal with stress and depression or consider the results of their actions. This is why being on the look out for signs of serious depression and anxiety is so vital.

No one is exempt from battling depression and anxiety, not even the paragons of faith mentioned in The Bible. King David, Job, Jeremiah, Elijah…they all battled fear, depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, it is part of the human condition and not talking about it or seeking help will not make it go away, it will only allow it to fester and grow worse.

If you have a child who is suffering from depression or some other mental illness, do not just consider it something all young adults go through and that it will get better in time.  Talk to your child, reach out to their friends and Teachers, and seek medical care if appropriate (and you should err on the side of caution in this aspect).  In some cases, the mental problems your child is dealing with is serious enough for them to receive disability benefits.

Seeking Social Security Disability benefits does not mean that your child will forever be classified as “disabled” or won’t go on to have the full and rich life you pray they have, but in some cases it is needed in order for you to ensure that they receive all the medical care they need so they can reach their potential.

Psychological problems are not a respecter of person; they can and do effect people throughout every socio-economic levels. If you live in Alabama and you or a loved one suffers with a mental disorder and you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits or SSI benefits, don’t give up, you really should call an experienced Alabama Social Security Disability Lawyer.  Contact and speak with one of the knowledgeable Alabama Disability Attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation.  Virtual appointments are available through Zoom, so you have meet with one of our experienced Disability Lawyers from the safety, convenience and comfort of home wherever you live in Alabama or Tennessee.

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Suicidal Thoughts on the Rise with Teens and Young Adults