- Behavior
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More girls are thinking about suicide - here's why and how to help
Nearly one in three teenage girls has considered suicide. About one of seven has been forced to have sex. More than half say they are so hopelessly sad they have stopped regular activities. That’s double the rate of boys, and the highest level reported in the last decade.
“A crisis in girlhood,” is how experts describe the findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
WHY IS SUICIDE INCREASING FOR GIRLS?
Many teenage girls feel intense online scrutiny and pressure from their peers about their appearance, performance in school and social activities. Deep feelings of loneliness and sadness are the result, said Katherine Murphy, CEO of National Alliance for Mental Illness of Palm Beach County.
The drumbeat of social media is the cause of many of the issues faced by teenage girls, said Allison Jimenez, director of programs for Hanley Foundation.
“Teenage girls have no down time, even when they go home. If they are bullied in-person at school, they get bullied online at home,” said Jimenez.
Covid’s aftermath has left many teenage girls with feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety and isolation, said Anne-Marie Brown, director of Trauma Services at the Center for Child Counseling in Palm Beach Gardens.
Returning to school was tough. So is going back and forth to the daily routine of life after being indoors during the long months of isolation during the pandemic.
Parents have divorced. Family members have died. Drug abuse has increased. So has physical and sexual abuse. Many parents are working more.
“There’s a real fear of what’s out there among teenage girls,” Brown said.
The risks of social media use to young people were described in May 2023 by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy. The public advisory lists 10 recommendations for educators, policymakers, tech companies and parents.
WHAT CAN PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS DO TO HELP PREVENT SUICIDE?
Encourage a healthy lifestyle. Help your teen eat well, exercise and get regular sleep. Join them for a walk, bicycle ride or a swim at the beach.
If you think your daughter may be suicidal or is considering self-harm, counseling is an excellent first step, said Murphy. If a teenage girl does not feel comfortable talking about her problems with a parent, she should ask a coach, teacher or pastor. In-person and online counseling is available.
“Teenage girls can feel hopeless, stuck, desperate. Counseling helps them see solutions. Counseling provides options and shows them positive coping skills,” Murphy said.
At what point do you take your child to the hospital? What if they refuse to go? If they have attempted suicide, do you consider residential care in a facility, where children live for weeks or months at a time?
- The Zero Suicide Initiative is a program at the Hanley Foundation that helps people recognize the signs that a person is contemplating suicide.
- The Center for Child Counseling in Palm Beach Gardens offers SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) Program to help parents. The center also offers individual and family counseling.
- Palm Beach County National Alliance on Mental Illness has support groups for young adults and families.
- In an emergency, call 211 in Palm Beach County for suicide prevention or crisis intervention or call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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Related resources
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National Alliance on Mental Illness Palm Beach County
Teen Connection Support Group - The groups allow youth to work together to overcome common issues. Weekly topics/activities may include boundaries, communication styles and skills, wellness toolbox, healthy relationships, values, vision boards, decision-making, and more. Topics may also include issues related to substance use/addiction.
561-588-3477 Website Email -
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Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches
Based in West Palm Beach, local information and services related to mental health, including support groups, referrals and an online screening test.
561-832-3755 Website Email -
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Center for Child Counseling
Mental health services in Palm Beach Gardens for families, specializing in play therapy for children who've experienced trauma
1-800-480-1899 Website Email -
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Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services
Center for Families & Children — support services for struggling families, including career assistance, domestic abuse education, financial assistance and special needs outreach
561-852-3333 Website Email -
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Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County
Individual and family counseling
561-616-1222 Website Email -
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Hanley Foundation
A local nonprofit focused on eliminating addiction through prevention, advocacy and recovery support.
561-268-2355 Website Email