IOWA: Number of Iowa Teens Who Considered Suicide Climbs 50 Percent in Six Years
March 22, 2019
According to a recent survey, an increasing number of Iowa youth have had suicidal thoughts. Carried out by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the survey collects data from middle and high school students every two or three years. The 2018 results showed 21 percent of students had considered suicide in the past year, which was higher than in previous surveys. It also found an increase in the percentage of young people who made a plan to die by suicide. Since multiple factors contribute to youth suicide risk, addressing them requires a multi-pronged approach, said Ryan Nesbit, board co-chairman for the Iowa chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “It’s not just schools—its churches, community leaders, businesses, health centers. Everyone has to work together [to prevent suicide],” he said.
Spark Extra! Learn more about preventing suicide among youth.