The number of children in the USA harming their own selves because of suicidal behaviour is increasing rapidly, and in the last 11 years, the number of such children and teenagers has jumped up by 163 percent, out of whom the maximum children are aged between 11 and 14 years. This has been revealed in a recent report prepared by researchers at the Dartmouth College, made after the analysis of the data of a study conducted on 47 lakh 68 thousand children and teenagers.
As per the report, from 2009 to 2019, 25.8 percent children were admitted to mental hospitals, and 1000 crore rupees were spent in their treatment. Back in 2009, the share of children and teenagers who were admitted to hospitals after attempting suicide or getting treated after harming their own selves was 30.7 percent. This share, by 2019, went up to 64.2 percent, which is more than double. Similarly, the share of children and teenagers attempting suicides in 2009 was 3.5 percent, which went up to 12.7 percent in 2019.
It is noteworthy here that the increase in the suicidal or self-harming thought is not new among the children and teenagers of the USA. But this research shows the problem of the health system. Parents have to face all sorts of problems at all levels when they have to get their children medically treated. Many doctors do not cover health insurances, some do not entertain new patients, and in many places, there is a major lack of trained staffers.
In the meantime, there has also been a change in girls’ mental health. Back in 2009, 51.8 percent girls were getting treated in hospitals, and this went up to 61.1 percent in 2019. In 2009, 49 thousand girls were admitted for suicidal behaviour, and this number increased to 1.3 lakhs in 2019.
