Children suicides on the rise: Effects of the pandemic

BY TVISHA MISTRY

“It is deeply alarming to hear that [sucide is the leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14]. I’m an advocate for kids but I’m also the mom of a ten-year-old, and to think about suicide being the leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14, that’s what keeps me up at night… to think that these children are in such need of help and simply can’t get the support that they need,” said Sarah Austin, founder, and CEO of Children First Canada.

Children First Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Canada a better place for kids. In alliance with charities, hospitals, research institutes, and corporations, Children First Canada aims to voice concerns of all the children in the country.

Recently, Children First Canada, the University of Calgary, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, published a report by the name: Raising Canada 2020.

This report revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequent restrictions are making a bad situation worse, in regards to the mental and physical health of Canadian kids.

The report provided a variety of statistics and stated that suicide is the leading cause of death for children aging 10 to 14 and the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24 years.

While these numbers were already escalating through previous years, the COVID-19 restrictions have evidently accelerated the suicide rates.

Among children aged 15 to 17, crowdsourced data revealed that 57% of the participants reported their mental health was “somewhat worse” or “much worse,” than it was prior to the physical distancing measures placed during the pandemic.

During the lockdown, children have been attending classes online and have been spending the rest of their time on Youtube or watching TV. This in turn has led to psycho-social problems like Internet addiction, lower self-esteem, and low interest in physical activities. Apart from this, cyberbullying and anxiety have also impacted mental health when children spend time on social media.

“The fact that young people ages 12 to about 17 often, when they are asked, they rate their own mental health less positively than their parents do, tells me some parents may not recognize their children’s mental health struggle as it’s happening,” commented The University of Calgary’s Professor, Candace Lind, one of the co-authors of Raising Canada 2020.

“Canada has been on the decline for over a decade, in terms of how we fare against other wealthy nations. So that was true even before the crisis hit and we know that now children’s health has certainly worsened. Both their physical and mental wellbeing are in jeopardy and require urgent action,” stated Sarah Austin, CEO of Children First Canada. “First we are calling for the appointment of a federal commissioner for children and youth. Somebody that is actually in charge and is driving the agenda for children and ensuring that they are made a priority. Secondly, we want to see a national strategy put in place to tackle these top ten threats to childhood health and really to focus on the most urgent issues in ways in which children are being impacted by COVD-19,” Austin added.

If you are someone who is struggling or you know someone who is struggling to cope with the current circumstances, please do not hesitate and get the help necessary. If you feel comfortable, talk to someone you know or trust. If this does not seem plausible, call or text: 1-800-668-6868.

This is the toll-free number for the Kids Helpline. The Kids Helpline is a 24/7 service catered to young individuals that need someone to talk to. You can share your concerns and get advice from understanding councilors while maintaining anonymity.

You do not need to hurt alone. No matter what you are going through; big or small, please reach out to someone.