September is Suicide Prevention Month. This is especially important because there has been an increase in suicide rates among children ages 8 to 12.

This rate has steadily increased over the past decade and has become the second leading cause of death among teenagers.

US News and World Report reports that in 2023, one in three teenagers received mental health treatment.

One of the North Harbor Pavilion administrators believes several factors have had a major impact on this growth.

“I really think COVID has contributed to that, and also the fact that all the kids have cell phones now,” said Valerie Alford-Stone, program director for North Harbor Pavilion. “It’s rare to find a kid who doesn’t have a cell phone, and because you have access to social media, you have access to ways to bully or be bullied, and it’s hard to turn that off.”

Stone warns parents about increased aggression, sleep disruptions and changes to the curriculum.

If you need help or have questions, you can call the mental health crisis hotline at 988.

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