Share:
Bullying among teen victims and offenders with high risk of suicide
Today, more and more young people suffer from the so-called cyber-bullying, but also in the traditional way many young people are suppressed and harassed, for example, by their classmates. Researchers now found that teenagers terrorizing other teenagers as well as their victims are at an increased risk of suicide.
Bullying and harassment of adolescents, whether in real life or on the Internet, leads to an increased likelihood of committing suicide. However, this applies to victims and perpetrators, scientists now found out in an investigation. The experts published the results of their study in a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
More and more young people in the world are suffering from the effects of bullying or cyberbullying. Both victims and, surprisingly, offenders have an increased likelihood of committing suicide. (Image: Sabphoto / fotolia.com) Routine checks required for suicide in adolescents
Family doctors in America are calling for routine control of adolescents for their suicidal risk. Physicians should be aware of the problems of adolescents that can lead to suicide later on. Affective disorders, drug abuse, sexual abuse and bullying should be given special consideration in such investigations, experts say.
Suicide second most common cause of death of adolescents in America
Suicide is the second most common cause of death of adolescents in America. Suicides in statistics are only surpassed by accidents. These include, for example, car accidents and accidental overdoses, explain the scientists. According to the researchers, the most common methods of suicide were suffocation or the use of weapons.
There is a clear connection between bullying and suicidal thoughts
Last year, a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 17 percent of high school youths in the United States had seriously considered committing suicide during the past 12 months. 2.7 percent of those affected actually made an attempt that has led to a self-injury, say the doctors. But also worldwide, enormous pressure to perform leads to more and more suicides among students. The researchers also found in their new study also found that there is a clear link between bullying and suicidal thoughts.
Victims are hard to protect against so-called cyber-bullying
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were increased in both victims and perpetrators. The likelihood of suicide was highest among adolescents who were harassing other children but were themselves victims of bullying, the authors explain. So-called cyber-bullying increased the probability of suicide as well as bullying in real life. There is no difference here, the experts report. However, cyberbullying is particularly harmful and dangerous because the victim has difficulty protecting himself from the offender, the researchers explain. In addition, the insults and insults on the Internet are written in black and white. Both the victim and anyone else can see her. So to speak, one is not safe in his own house, say the authors. And shame from the Internet does not just delete itself, it remains.
Doctors should be better trained to recognize at-risk teens
Doctors play a crucial role in the identification of mental illness and can thus prevent suicide. The new report therefore includes a proposed dialogue and questions for physicians to identify vulnerable adolescents. Adolescent patients should be interviewed without their parents, the experts advise. Doctors should also generally get a better education to recognize teenagers with suicidal thoughts, the study authors demand.
Internet provides a lot of information on the topic of suicide prevention
The impact of the internet on suicide risk was mixed. However, it could be stated that adolescents who were online more than five hours a day had an increased risk of suicide, say the scientists. However, there is another side of the internet as well. Teenagers who looked for the term suicide online were far more likely to receive information about suicide prevention than Internet sites supporting suicide, physicians add. In the future, for example, Facebook also wants to offer better support to help those with suicidal thoughts. (As)