HHS HealthBeat (November 23, 2012)

Teens and suicide

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Suicide is a serious risk for teens. A teen’s social environment can have a strong effect on whether or not they experience suicidal thoughts. Using the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, researchers examined how peer victimization like harassment, teasing, or exclusion, affected 4,000 teens.

Sherry Hamby is a research associate professor at Sewanee – the University of the South.

“Victimized youth were far more likely to report thinking about suicide.”

Teens can step up. Even bystanders can make a difference.

“Refusing to tolerate a climate of bullying and harassment is one key step to creating a safer environment for all teens.”

The study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: November 23, 2012