Four probably reasons why teenage depression & suicide are increasing at a rapid rate
Statistics show the phenomenal rise of teen depression and suicide happened when the internet, social media, and gadgets became readily available. Not only anxiety but gender dysphoria increased 4,000 folds. [Abigail Shrier]
1. Fatherless and uninvolved fathers
The rate of suicide is higher among single-parent (those with absentee fathers). Divorce is becoming less because more people prefer having live-in partners and entanglement.
However, the rate of kids with “absentee fathers” continues to rise. As a result, statistics show that children from fatherless homes account for the following:
- 63% percent of youth suicides
- 90% are homeless and runaway
- 85% have character disorder
- 71% are High School dropouts
- 75% involved in drug abuse
2. Increase in knowledge and a comfortable life
As knowledge increases, fear decreases. With less anxiety and comfortable life, as most have today, God becomes irrelevant. Without God, Satan has a field day with anyone.
Today, the mind is constantly being forced to feed on violent video games, Hollywood movies that encourage immoral behavior, mobile app challenges, and demonic music.
3. Genetic and spiritual side to depression
The root cause of depression is not always apparent, but a person with signs of neuroticism will likely experience some form of mental illness.
Known today as depressive disorder, neurosis is a personality trait that can be inherited. But the Bible calls it a sinful nature. Interestingly, thankfulness and community work can help eliminate depression. [Overcoming depression in the Bible]
According to a study, higher spirituality scores correlated with fewer depressive symptoms. Even though there are pastors who committed suicide, the evidence of faith-based healing remains strong. [SSRI vs. talk therapy]
4. More movies today glorify depression & suicide
It may not be the intention of most movies made in Hollywood, but producers and directors are putting more “shock value” to films. The more controversial and Avant-Garde, the better the ratings.
For example, a surge in teen suicide was blamed on the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.” It is a story of a teenage girl’s suicide. The show seems to glamorize the problem.
A study showed that suicide rates among adolescent boys spiked the following month after its release.
Likewise, a sharp 143% rise of primarily teenage girls as young as 10 to 15 attempting to kill themselves with poison.
NCBI Reports:
The Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” was associated with a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in the month (April 2017) following the show’s release, after accounting for ongoing trends in suicide rates, according to a study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Your child may be at risk, and you have no idea
- Signs of depression and suicidal thoughts are not always obvious.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for college students. [NIH]
- 75% of those diagnosed with mental illness had their first episode at 24. [Mayo]
- Nearly half of students experience depression and anxiety each year. [Boston]
