The number of teenagers committing suicide has hit a 17-year high, with evidence suggesting that teens are struggling to cope with mental ill health, bullying and social media.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 186 teenagers committed suicide in 2015, an increase of 48 per cent in the past three years. The last time the figure was higher was in 1998.
The figures come after two heartbreaking teenage suicide cases emerged last week. Last Tuesday a mother published an open letter describing how her teenage son was driven to suicide after a “cruel and overwhelming” social campaign by bullies.
Fifty-one-year-old Lucy Alexander called on children, parents and teachers to act against bullying after her son 17-year-old son Felix lay in front of a train near Worcester in April.
Last Monday saw the funeral of Asad Khan, an 11-year-old boy found hanged in his bedroom in Bradford after allegedly being bullied. This increase in teenage suicide rate has prompted ministers to produce a new nationwide suicide prevention strategy targeted at young people.
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has told officials that they must “improve” the existing 2012 strategy as a priority, with a focus on the young.
