Uncovering the Alarming Rise in Death by Suicide Among Preteens

Data from a new study implies that gender and race/ethnicity play a role in increasing suicide rates.

Youth suicide is a significant public health concern. When the National Institute of Mental Health convened a research roundtable series to address the rising rates of death by suicide in preteens in 2021, the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital knew they must prioritize initiatives around this vulnerable population.

Using national mortality data from 2001 to 2022, the team led by Donna Ruch, PhD, a principal investigator in CSPR and faculty member at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, examined the characteristics and trends in rates of death by suicide among U.S. preteens aged 8 to 12 years. The analysis included gender, racial/ethnicity, and methods of death by suicide. The sobering report was recently published in JAMA Network Open.

A total of 2,241 preteens died by suicide in that period, 31.9% female and 68.1% male. After a downward trend from 2001 to 2007, rates increased by 8.2% annually from 2008 to 2022. Death by suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in girls between 2001 and 2007, yet it increased to the fifth leading cause of death between 2008 and 2022. In comparison, death by suicide ranked consistently as the fifth leading cause of death for boys.

The analysis also revealed significant rate increases among all subgroups, with the greatest increase in girls, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic preteens.

Dr. Ruch emphasizes the importance of understanding these disparities.

“My biggest takeaways from this study are around the gender and racial/ethnic differences,” Dr. Ruch says, “It’s concerning that young girls are experiencing a disproportionate increase in rates of death by suicide compared to boys and that Black preteens had the highest overall rate for the entire time period.”

In addition, the study revealed that Hispanic preteens had the most significant increase over the years.

Another concerning revelation was the use of firearms by this young age group. While hanging and suffocation were the most common methods of death by suicide, firearms are the most rapidly increasing method.

Dr. Ruch acknowledges that this research is just the beginning.

“These findings highlight a need for more research to explore the unique needs of preteens struggling with mental health issues,” she explains. “We must evaluate the current healthcare system for preteens to ensure it provides culturally responsive, age-appropriate interventions and comprehensive screening.”

The study serves as a call to action for mental health providers and researchers to address this pressing issue and develop targeted strategies to prevent death by suicide among our preteen population.

Reference:

Ruch DA, Horowitz LM, Hughes JL, Sarkisian K, Luby JL, Fontanella CA, Bridge JA. Suicide in U.S. Preteens Aged 8 to 12 Years, 2001 to 2022. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(7):e2424664.

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