Sunday 3rd February 2019
Our Head of Campaigns, Danny Bowman appeared on Sky News earlier today to discuss, disturbing new provisional data from the Office for National Statistics suggesting that the suicide rate among teenagers between the ages of 15-19 has doubled since 2010. The findings have sparked further concerns about the effects of social media on young people.
Danny said that suicide is a complex issue and there can be a multitude of contributing factors case by case but argued that long waiting-times to access children and adolescent mental health services could be a factor in teenagers reaching crisis-point. In addition, he said that social media companies need to get around the table with government and health professionals to prevent harmful images promoting dangerous practices such as self-harm on their platforms and safeguard young people online.
Danny argued that there needs to be a multi-organisational approach to combating negative mental health in young people and further steps need to be taken towards achieving better early-intervention when young people show early signs of a mental health condition.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
