Suicide attempts among adolescent girls surged by more than 50% during pandemic, CDC says - CNBC

From late July to late August 2020, the average weekly number of emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among 12- to 17-year-old girls increased by 26.2% from the same period a year prior.

In adolescent girls, average weekly visits to the emergency department for suspected suicide attempts from February 2021 to March 2021 jumped by 50.6% from the same time period during the prior year.

The study points to an increase in emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts, not an increase in actual suicides, the CDC emphasized in the study.

The increase in suspected suicide attempts by young people could be attributed to social distancing, including a lack of connection to schools, teachers and friends.

Average emergency department visit rates for mental health concerns and suspected child abuse also increased in 2020 compared with 2019, potentially contributing to the increase in suspected suicide attempts.