Our Young People Are in a Hailstorm of Mental Illness: Preventing Teen Suicide

Teen Suicide Prevention Series

July 6, 2026

Jillian Eidem, Author and Founder, RealTalk Coaching

Belinda (Belle) Morey, Subject Matter Expert

Tom O'Connor, Publisher

Vital Voyage is introducing a new series raising awareness about Teen Suicide Prevention. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the crisis lifeline in the US/Canada at 988

"Suicide happens when the pain of living one more second outweighs the fear of dying in that second." — Michael Landsberg, on the death of his good friend Wade Belak. Wade made his WHL debut with the Saskatoon Blades as a 16-year-old.

TSN host Michael Landsberg was profoundly impacted by the tragic death of his close friend Wade Belak in 2011. In Canada, TSN stands for The Sports Network. 

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/depression-and-my-friend-wade-belak-from-sept-13-2011-1.340782/. Wade Belak, a beloved NHL enforcer, privately confided in Landsberg about his battles with depression. Landsberg later wrote candidly about his own guilt, grief, and the invisible nature of mental illness.

Teen Suicide Prevention Clinical Data

Clinical data highlight a critical connection in teen suicide prevention: mental health struggles and substance use frequently co-occur. Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) are approximately 4 times more likely to seriously consider suicide, 5 times more likely to make a suicide plan, and over 5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those without SUDs.

Substance use can temporarily numb emotional pain, but it often intensifies hopelessness, impairs judgment, and reduces access to coping skills. Early recognition of this overlap—through integrated screening for both mental health and substance involvement—provides a stronger foundation for timely intervention and support.

For me, your author, I'm living one second at a time. That's all it can take. One moment in time — and two seconds on either side of it could change everything. That single second is the line between a young person reaching out and a family losing them forever. It's the line we need to understand if we're ever going to stand on the right side of it.

The Fast-Rising Mental Health Crisis in Our Teens

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, the mental well-being of our teenagers has become an increasingly urgent concern. The alarming rise in mental health issues among adolescents aged 13 to 18 demands that we understand — and act on — what's driving this crisis.

Recent data shows that roughly one in four teens has seriously considered suicide. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults. 

Recent U.S. data reinforces this urgency: about 1 in 5 high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with 1 in 10 attempting. In Canada and the broader Americas, rates among 10–24-year-olds have risen significantly over the past two decades, with faster increases among girls in some areas. Behind these stats are real kids in rural communities like ours in northern Wisconsin—often navigating isolation, family trauma, or intergenerational substance use. The good news? Early intervention works. Progress is possible when we treat the whole picture, including any emerging substance involvement.

Behind every one of those numbers is a kid who sat in a classroom, scrolled through a phone, sat at a dinner table — and felt like no one could see what was happening inside them.

As a society, we have to look closely at what's behind these numbers. More importantly, we need practical tools: how to recognize when a young person is struggling, and what we can actually do — as parents, teachers, coaches, and community members — before a crisis becomes a tragedy.

READ: They Said They're Thinking of Suicide. What Now?

The Invisible Struggles of Our Teens

Adolescence is a time of transition, identity, and self-discovery — and it can also be tumultuous and overwhelming. For most teenagers, their world revolves around friendships and school. At that age, it's almost impossible to see past it. When a friendship falls apart over gossip or a teen is excluded from a group chat, it can feel like their entire world has collapsed. They can't yet see that in a few years, they won't remember — let alone speak to — most of the people who feel so central to their lives right now.

Academic pressure, social media comparison, the need for peer acceptance, and uncertainty about the future combine to create a perfect breeding ground for anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. None of these pressures is new on its own — but never before have they all converged with this intensity, at this speed, with this little room to escape.

The Role of Social Media

Social media has transformed how we connect — but it has a darker side that profoundly affects our most vulnerable teens. Platforms built around curated highlight reels create relentless pressure to measure up to standards that aren't even real. Constant exposure to other people's "best moments" can trigger feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and isolation — even while a teen is surrounded by hundreds of "friends" online.

Cyberbullying compounds this. Unlike the bullying of previous generations, which often ended when a child walked through their front door, today's bullying follows them into their bedroom, onto their phone, and into the middle of the night. There is no longer a safe space to retreat to and simply forget about it for a while. 

Social media doesn't just amplify comparison—it can also expose teens to pro-substance-use content or normalize risky coping that masks deeper pain. In my coaching and counseling, I've seen how late-night scrolling leads to isolation that fuels both anxiety and experimentation with alcohol or drugs. This combo dramatically raises suicide risk. Parents: Use curiosity over control. Ask, "What's one thing you saw online that hit hard this week?" It builds connection without shame and opens doors to talking about real struggles.

The Weight of Academic Pressure

The pursuit of success and the desire for a promising future place an enormous burden on young shoulders. Our increasingly competitive academic culture often prioritizes achievement over well-being. The race for top grades, college admissions, and scholarships leaves little room for rest, play, or emotional development — the very things that build resilience in the first place.

For many teens, a single bad grade or a college rejection doesn't feel like a setback. It feels like the end of the road. When a young person's entire sense of identity and self-worth is tied to performance, any perceived failure can feel catastrophic and permanent — even when, to an adult, it so clearly isn't.

Another critical but often overlooked driver is the intersection with substance use. Teens under intense pressure may turn to alcohol, cannabis, or other substances to "take the edge off" or self-medicate undiagnosed anxiety/depression. This is especially common among high-achieving or rural youth, for whom services feel out of reach. Substance use doesn't solve the pressure—it impairs judgment, deepens isolation, and multiplies suicide risk (adolescents with SUDs face 4–5x higher odds of attempts). As a counselor, I urge parents and educators: Screen for both mental health and substance use signs. Harm reduction conversations ("What's one small step toward feeling better without substances?") can save lives by meeting teens where they are.

How to Recognize a Child or Teen in Crisis

One of the hardest parts of this crisis is that teens in distress often don't say, "I need help." Instead, they show it through changes in behavior, mood, and routine. Recognizing these signs early can make the difference between catching a crisis and missing it.

Behavioral changes are often the first sign. Watch for sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they used to love; significant changes in sleep (sleeping far more or far less than usual); a drop in academic performance or sudden lack of interest in school; neglecting personal hygiene or appearance; and giving away prized possessions, which can be a quiet but significant signal.

Emotional changes are equally important. Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or irritability that lasts for weeks rather than days; extreme mood swings, especially a sudden shift from deep depression to a strange sense of calm (which can sometimes indicate a decision has been made); expressions of feeling like a burden to others; and a noticeable loss of interest in the future — no longer talking about plans, goals, or upcoming events.

Verbal cues matter more than we often realize. Comments like "Everyone would be better off without me," "I just want the pain to stop," or "There's no point anymore" should never be dismissed as dramatic or attention-seeking. Even jokes about death or self-harm deserve a gentle, direct follow-up conversation.

Online behavior is another window worth paying attention to. Searching for information about self-harm or suicide methods, writing goodbye messages or posts, or a sudden increase in dark, hopeless, or final-sounding content online are all signs that should prompt immediate action.

Physical signs can include unexplained cuts, bruises, or marks (especially on the arms, wrists, or thighs), wearing long sleeves or pants regardless of the weather to conceal them, and changes in eating habits.

If you notice even a few of these signs together — especially a combination of withdrawal, hopelessness, and verbal cues — it's time to have a direct conversation. Asking "Are you thinking about suicide?" does not plant the idea. It opens the door. 

Pay special attention to signs involving substance use: sudden increase in alcohol/drug experimentation, smelling of substances, finding paraphernalia, or using them to cope with school/social stress. Teens may hide this alongside withdrawal or neglect of hygiene. From my clinical lens, substance involvement is a major red flag because it impairs the very coping skills teens need. If you see this, combine empathy with direct questions: "I've noticed some changes—have things gotten so heavy you're using anything to numb it?" Don't wait. Early support for co-occurring issues is key.

Preventative Measures: What We Can Actually Do At Home

Create an environment where emotions are welcomed, not minimized. Phrases like "you're fine" or "it's not a big deal" — even when well-intentioned — teach kids that their feelings aren't valid. Instead, validate first: "That sounds really hard. I'm glad you told me."

Build in regular, low-pressure check-ins that aren't tied to a crisis — a car ride, a walk, doing dishes together. Teens often open up more easily when there's no direct eye contact and no expectation of a "deep talk."

Limit — but don't demonize — screen time, and talk openly about what they're seeing online. Curiosity works better than control: "What's something that made you feel bad about yourself online this week?" opens more doors than "Get off your phone."

Model healthy coping for yourself. Teens learn far more from watching how adults handle stress, disappointment, and setbacks than from any lecture.

Model open conversations about substances, too. Share age-appropriate facts without scare tactics: "I know pressure is real—some kids try drinking or vaping to cope, but it often makes things heavier long-term. What helps you feel steady?" In my recovery work and with families, this no-shame approach builds trust and prevents escalation. Validate emotions first, then gently explore coping. Progress is progress—even small talk counts.

At School

Schools play a frontline role. Comprehensive mental health education — taught with the same consistency as math or science — helps normalize seeking help and teaches coping skills before a crisis hits.

Train teachers and staff to recognize warning signs and to know exactly what to do next: who to call, how to start a conversation, and how to follow up. A single caring adult who notices a struggling student can change the trajectory of that student's life.

Ensure access to a school counselor or mental health professional is real, not just theoretical — short wait times, confidential spaces, and a culture where visiting the counselor isn't stigmatized.

In the Community

Make mental health resources visible and accessible — community centers, sports programs, and youth groups can all serve as informal support networks, especially for teens who may not seek formal therapy.

Reduce barriers to professional care: affordable counseling, sliding-scale fees, and services that don't require a long waitlist for a teen in an active crisis.

Support peer-to-peer programs. Teens are often more willing to confide in friends than adults are — equipping peers with basic skills (how to listen, when to involve an adult) can save lives.

In communities like mine, substance use and suicide risk are deeply linked—many teens who die by suicide have substances involved. Support programs that treat both (integrated care), peer-led groups with lived-experience facilitators, and accessible resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat 988). Schools and youth programs should include substance use education alongside mental health education. Reduce barriers: sliding-scale services, telehealth for rural areas, and partnerships with recovery organizations. 

As someone who's been there and now helps others, I know community connection is protective. Belonging saves lives.

Breaking the Stigma

Perhaps the most powerful preventative tool is simply talking about mental health openly, consistently, and without shame — at the dinner table, in classrooms, and in our communities. 

When struggling becomes something that can be said out loud, asking for help stops feeling like weakness and starts feeling like strength.

Educating parents, teachers, and community members about warning signs empowers everyone — not just professionals — to recognize when a young person is struggling and to step in before it's too late.

Conclusion: Shaping a Brighter Future

The mental health crisis among our teenagers is urgent, but it is not hopeless. By learning to recognize the signs of a child in crisis, building homes and schools where emotions are safe to express, and creating communities where mental health support is normal and accessible, we can begin to reverse this troubling trend.

It comes back to that one second — the moment a young person decides whether the pain is too much to bear for one more breath.

That second can be bridged with real talk, no judgment, and practical support. Whether it's a parent listening, a teacher noticing, or a coach connecting a family to resources, progress happens in the small, consistent actions. You're not alone in this work. If you're a parent or professional seeing these signs, reach out for guidance. Help is closer than it feels, and every teen deserves to know their story isn't over.

Our job, every single one of us, is to make sure that in that second, they know they are not alone, and that help is closer than they think.

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Read Jillian's bio by clicking her icon at the start of this article.

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