New guidelines for pediatricians identify bullying and extensive internet use as risk factors linked to teen suicide attempts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) today released the updated guidelines, which identify influences in teen suicides, which are now the second leading cause of death for adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19.
In a clinical report published in Pediatrics, the AAP urges pediatricians to screen patients for suicidal thoughts and potential risk factors, such as bullying and pathological internet use. The new guidelines replace a previous version from 2007
“Bullying has always been a major issue for adolescents, but there is now greater recognition of the connection between bullying and suicide,” Benjamin Shain, M.D., Ph.D., the report’s lead author and a child psychiatrist with NorthShore University HealthSystem in Illinois, said in an announcement. The internet is another key influence, with cyberbullying as serious a problem as face-to-face bullying, he said.
The guidelines also point to pros and cons of adolescent internet use. Internet use that exceeds five hours a day is linked to higher levels of depression and suicidal thoughts among adolescents, according to the announcement. However, the internet may also be an important source of support for teens.
Other risk factors for suicide attempts include a family history of suicide, a history of physical or sexual abuse, mood disorders, drug and alcohol use, and lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning sexual orientation or transgender identification. Adolescents are a higher risk of suicide attempts if they have a strained relationship with a parent, live outside the home, and have difficulties in school or are not attending school, the AAP said.
The AAP recommends pediatricians routinely ask adolescent patients if they have thoughts of harming themselves, and screen for factors associated with increased risk.
Suicide isn’t just a problem for teens, however. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said that the suicide rate in the U.S. has reached a 30-year high, with an alarming 24 percent increase from 1999 to 2014.
- read the clinical report
- find the announcement