Increase in suicide rates among adolescent female Canadians, as revealed in a study
In a recent study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers have highlighted concerning trends in suicide rates among young people, particularly young women, in South Korea. The study, which was published on August 28, analysed national death records from the U.S., Canada, and South Korea from 2001 to 2023, reviewing every suicide death among young people.
According to the study, suicide rates among young women in South Korea have sharply climbed in recent years. Factors contributing to this rise include high social pressure related to education and employment, mental health stigmatization, societal expectations, and the perceived accessibility and social acceptability of methods like hanging and poisoning. Cultural issues such as shame society dynamics and intense stress also play significant roles.
In the United States, youth suicide rates have started to level off or drop in several groups, but the study did not find improvement in suicide rates among teen girls over the past two decades. In Canada, suicide rates among young people aged 10 to 29 have not improved over the same period.
Interestingly, suicide deaths remain the highest among young men, but the study observed that the suicide rate among teen girls and young women in their twenties is rising in many countries, including South Korea and the United States.
The unique pressure to live up to body image and beauty standards from social media, online bullying, and potential gaps in mental care are believed to be factors behind the growing suicide rates among teen girls in South Korea, according to the study.
Seungbin Oh, the lead author of the study, emphasized that suicide prevention is not a one-size-fits-all approach. He suggested that prevention must be tailored by country, gender, and age group. Oh also mentioned the need for school programs, more accessible mental health care, and online safety measures addressing the problem.
A press release about the study was issued on September 5, drawing attention to the urgent need for action. Oh reiterated his call for tailored prevention strategies, stressing that each country, gender, and age group may require unique approaches to address the complex issue of suicide among young people.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
