Mississippi's teen suicide rate has risen 97% in recent years

by

kobee vance

• Published on October 19, 2021 • Comments

NAMI works with parents and school teachers to help them identify the early signs of depression in teens and young adults
NAMI

Teen suicide rates in Mississippi have risen 97% in recent years according to a new study by the United Health Foundation.

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Mississippi’s teen suicide rate was below the national average in 2014, however this new study found in 2019 the state surpassed the rate of most others. Sitaniel Wimbly, Executive Director of NAMI Mississippi, says teen suicide could be further exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is trauma at it’s finest. I mean this is an event that we’re in, it happened all of the sudden, and we don’t see an end in sight. So that’s trauma. And we’re all going through this together. However, some of our young adults don’t have the coping skills necessary and that’s where we have to step up for them,” says Wimbly.

Wimbly says one in five people suffer from mental illness.

Wimbly says “One out of five people have gone to a doctor about their mental illness, and it’s important for young adults to know that. And it’s not a permanent issue. You can go to the doctor and your mental illness does not have to define your life. It can just be a part of your life, it doesn’t have to be who you actually are.”

There are resources available across the state to help teens and other Mississippians improve their mental and emotional health.