It’s no secret that teenage suicide is a rising issue in today’s world. According to the CDC, roughly 49,500 people took their own lives in 2022- and that number is only going up from here. The rate of teen suicide in the United States is growing like mold. But why? What is pushing so many people to their limits? And, more importantly, what can we do to stop it? It’s imperative that we, as a collective, put in the effort to protect each other and ourselves. 

Reporters for The Compass News took to local students to find the answers to these questions. After interviewing eight students, reports found that six of them said they had seriously considered suicide before. That’s 75 percent. Most students said that they began struggling with their mental health in middle school and early freshman year. Juniper Cushing, a freshman at Milwaukie High School, says “Middle school is when we want to find ourselves. It’s a huge transitional period from being a kid to a teenager. It’s overwhelming.” The few years between 11-14 are extremely important in a child’s development. It’s that turning point from childhood to adulthood, and, of course, it’s terrifying. Laura Greenwalt, mother of three teenagers, tells reporters “We need more mental health resources in schools and local communities. We have to start talking about it.” 

Middle school is full of insecurities, bullies, emotions, and fears. When asked about solutions to this problem, most students were pretty blunt with their responses. One anonymous student from Nelson High School said “It’s simple, really. When people say they’re sad; listen.” So why is that so hard for us? The most accurate theory is this: stigma. We shy away from taboo topics due to shame and embarrassment, but it’s essential we normalize holding discussions about mental health because it’s a lot more common than we realize. Juniper Cushing says “We need to show people we’re here for them. And they’re safe with us.”

There’s never going to be a perfect solution to stopping suicide. People are always going to struggle, people are always going to hurt. But if we raise awareness, educate students and adults alike on depression and its symptoms, and eliminate the shame in conversations around mental health, we can help each other. You’re never too young to be depressed or anxious, the way you feel is valid no matter your age, circumstance, or anything else. As Jordan Adams, a Junior at Nelson High School says “Depression isn’t circumstantial.”