Only a fifth of parents and carers of 16-23 year-olds have discussed the topic of suicide with them in the past year, despite it being the leading cause of death among young people.
This compared with 37 percent who had discussed sex and relationships, a YouGov survey of more than 4,200 adults found.
Some 19 percent of parents and carers admitted they worried that broaching the sensitive subject may put ideas in their child’s head.
But a national campaign launching this week aims to encourage people to discuss mental health and youth suicide with loved ones.
Simon Gunning, chief executive of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which commissioned the research, said: “People worry mentioning the ‘S’ word puts the thought in their loved ones’ minds.
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“We know from our extensive work in the area that the opposite is true. Talking about suicide with young people in the right way and simply saying that word, whether they’re doing fine or whether they’re at crisis point, is proven to be a powerful suicide prevention tool.”
Almost 7,000 people aged 15-24 died by suicide in the UK during the ten years to 2022. It is the leading cause of death among those aged 15-34.
The tragic toll will be highlighted with an installation at the Westfield White City shopping centre in London featuring 6,929 birthday balloons – each representing the missed birthday a young person never got to see.
The survey also found that 39 percent of young people aged 18-34 had experienced a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts over the past five years.
Just over half (51 percent) said they would avoid speaking to a parent or trusted adult if experiencing a crisis because they would not want to worry them.
And 59 percent thought someone closer to their age – such as a friend or sibling – would better understand their struggles.
Meanwhile, four in 10 parents and carers admitted they would not know who or where to turn for help when trying to deal with a young person having suicidal thoughts.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday, CALM will launch a new C.A.R.E kit to support adults in having conversations about mental health and suicide with those aged 15-24.
Online resources offer advice on how to Check in, Ask how they are, Remain close and seek Expert Help.
Mr Gunning added: “We have to remove the stigma and start talking – if we don’t, more young people will die or carry these damaging behaviours into adulthood.
“The CALM C.A.R.E kit shows you how to break the cycle and foster positive conversations around mental health and suicide prevention”.
The kit will be available for free here.
‘Alex’s death changed our world forever – this should no longer be a taboo subject.’
Tracey had no idea her son Alex was experiencing mental health problems before he died by suicide while on holiday with friends.
The 19-year-old had occasional friendship struggles – as all teenagers do – but “nothing that was noticeable or ever made me worry as his mum”, she said.
Tracey, 51, added: “At the time he was living away from the family home, so when I received the phone call in the middle of the night on November 14 2019, it was a complete shock and changed our world forever.”
Alex was a “fun-loving, popular boy who loved music, going out, having fun and being with his friends”, Tracey said. His family “grieved very differently” in the wake of his sudden death but remained strong together.
Alex’s sister was only 15 at the time and struggled to access support. Mum-of-two Tracey said: “When I tried the avenues for her such as the GP, school resources and counselling for young people I was hitting brick wall after brick wall with no success.”
Tracey has fundraised for CALM since 2021 and is determined to “turn this horrendous loss into a positive” by raising awareness and encouraging people to talk to their loves ones about mental health and suicide.
She added: “I truly believe now that this can affect any family. We need to talk more to each other about any struggles and mental health problems that we may have.
“This should no longer be a taboo subject and one that we can speak more openly about.”
- When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.