Summary: Rates of suicide attempts by self-poisoning among adolescents and young adults in the United States have risen sharply since 2011, with girls and young women showing the largest increases, according to researchers.
Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Key finding: A new analysis from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center shows that self-poisoning suicide attempts among people ages 10–24 have more than doubled over the past decade, and more than tripled for females.
The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, analyzed intentional, suspected-suicide self-poisoning cases reported to U.S. poison centers between January 2000 and November 2018. During that 19-year span, poison centers logged 1,627,825 intentional suspected-suicide self-poisoning reports among youth and young adults. Females accounted for roughly 71% (1,162,147) of those cases.
Henry Spiller, MS, D.ABAT, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center and a study co-author, noted a marked rise in both frequency and severity of cases. “From 2010 through 2018, reported self-poisoning attempts in youth increased by 141%,” he said. “We also observed that severity of outcomes rose, especially among 10- to 15-year-olds.”
Background research shows that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 24. Although males die by suicide at higher rates, females attempt suicide more often. Among adolescents, self-poisoning is the most common method of a suicide attempt and the third most common method of death by suicide, with higher attempt rates in females.
John Ackerman, PhD, clinical psychologist and suicide prevention coordinator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a study co-author, emphasized that suicidal thoughts and attempts can occur even in children under 12, though they remain uncommon. “These findings are upsetting but should prompt action rather than panic,” Ackerman said. “Parents and caregivers can take practical steps: check in often, ask direct questions about suicidal thoughts, limit access to lethal means, and securely store medications.”
The study identified important age and sex patterns. Children ages 10–15 experienced a decline in cases from 2000 to 2010, then a sharp rise from 2011 to 2018, with increases ranging from 125% to 299% during that later period. For ages 10–18, the surge after 2011 was driven largely by females. Young adults ages 19–24 showed a later and less steep increase. Across all ages, serious outcomes became more common: the dataset includes 340,563 moderate outcomes, 45,857 major outcomes, and 1,404 deaths, and both major effects and deaths increased over time.
Prevention experts at Nationwide Children’s recommend regular, open conversations about mental health. Parents should ask their children directly how they are feeling and whether they’ve had thoughts of ending their life—questions that can be lifesaving. These conversations are important not only during crises but also when things are going well, to build trust and establish plans for managing emotional distress.
Ackerman’s team provides school- and community-based suicide prevention programming to more than 120 schools in central and southeast Ohio and trains organizations that serve youth. He points out that resources exist to help families start conversations and access support, and that early prevention is critical.
Data for the study were drawn from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) and cover January 2000 through November 2018. The original research article is titled “Sex- and Age-specific Increases in Suicide Attempts by Self-Poisoning in the United States among Youth and Young Adults from 2000 to 2018.” Authors include Henry A. Spiller, John P. Ackerman, Natalie E. Spiller, and Marcel J. Casavant.
If a young person is in immediate danger or has active suicidal thoughts, seek emergency help right away: go to your local emergency room or call emergency services. Crisis and poison hotlines include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the Crisis Text Line (text “START” to 741-741), and the national Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for suspected overdoses.
Source:
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Media Contact:
Katelyn Hanzel – Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Image Source:
Image in the public domain.
Original Research: Open access. Sex- and Age-specific Increases in Suicide Attempts by Self-Poisoning in the United States among Youth and Young Adults from 2000 to 2018. The Journal of Pediatrics. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.02.045
Abstract (condensed)
Objective: To evaluate incidence and outcomes of intentional suspected-suicide self-poisoning among 10–24 year olds in the U.S. from 2000 to 2018.
Study design: Retrospective analysis of cases reported to the National Poison Data System, with population-adjusted annual rates derived from U.S. Census data. Changes in incidence, rate per 100,000 population, and medical outcomes were assessed by age and sex.
Results: There were 1,627,825 intentional suspected-suicide self-poisoning cases; 71% involved females. After 2011, rates rose sharply in those under 19, especially among females ages 10–18, while older groups showed a delayed and smaller increase. The number of serious medical outcomes, including major effects and deaths, increased over the study period.
Conclusions: Since 2011, suicide attempts by self-poisoning have increased significantly among children and adolescents, particularly young girls, and the severity of outcomes has also risen. Early prevention, safe storage of medications, and open dialogue about mental health are essential.