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American Morning

New Government Study Indicates Alarming Number of Young People Contemplating Suicide

Aired July 16, 2002 - 09:51   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A new government study indicates an alarming number of young people are contemplating suicide. According to the study, in the year 2000, nearly three million Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 thought about suicide, and more than 1/3 of those actually tried to kill themselves. So, what's behind these terrifying statistics? Joining us this morning from Lincoln, Nebraska, clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Pipher.

Welcome.

DR. MARY PIPHER, PSYCHOLOGIST: Hello.

ZAHN: I know you're probably not surprised by these statistics, because you look at the stuff all the time, but should the rest of America be, or should this be something we seen red flags about for years?

PIPHER: Well, actually when I wrote "Reviving Ophelia" in 1994, these were approximately the same statistics. So what this new study tells me is that the rate of teenage suicide attempts, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, are essentially the same as they were eight years ago.

ZAHN: And even though those statistics have stayed the same, it's still depressing to hear about today the study showing that 25.4 percent of the teen who have used any illicit drugs in the year 2000 were almost three times more likely to be at risk for suicide. Any thoughts on that?

PIPHER: It's hard to know what's going on there, because alcohol and drugs are often used as pain killer by kids. So that's one way to explain those stats. Another way to explain them is that alcohol and drugs are depressants. And so as teenagers get involved with alcohol and drugs, they're much more likely to become seriously depressed, to feel their lives are out of control and to consider suicide.

ZAHN: You have taken a particular interest in adolescent girls, and I found that stunning that this survey also showed that double the number of girls, 16 percent versus 8 percent for boys contemplated suicide in 2000. Why is that?

PIPHER: Well, as I wrote in "Reviving Ophelia," girls come of age in a very toxic, girl-poisoning nature. There are so many forces impacting 12, 13-year-old girls, everything from pressure to be thin to pressure to be sexual. Date rape is a common problem for girls this age. There's a very bitter peer culture in which girls are certainly teased and ostracized by their -- in quote -- "sometimes best friends." So these kind of pressures on girls who are not yet developed socially, or emotionally or cognitively play a big factor in something like suicide attempts.

ZAHN: Dr. Pipher, just some closing thoughts for Americans, parents and teenagers to keep in mind about the warning signs of someone who might someday contemplate suicide?

PIPHER: Well it's hard to tell, because a lot of ordinary, adolescent behavior look a little bit pathological. Most teenagers are moody, and sulky and withdrawn, but the things I would encourage parents to act upon by calling a therapist are things like a direct threat, a child saying I'm considering hurting myself. Also if you're worried, it's a good thing to ask your teenager, have you ever considered harming yourself? And they will most likely tell you the truth if you ask them that direct question. Withdrawing from friends, a sudden change in things like grade or loss of interest in hobbies. All these things are serious.

One of the things noteworthy in this study how few of the teenagers who attempted suicide had actually been to a therapist. And we know that prevention is the best way to deal with suicide or depression.

ZAHN: Dr. Mary Pipher, as always, good to have your advice. And for those of use raising adolescent girls, we've leaned on your writings over the years. Thank you for dropping by today.

PIPHER: You're sure welcome.

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