Young people in China have been committing suicide at a higher rate in recent years. The rising number has prompted experts to demand intervention strategies to alleviate stress among students, Bloomberg reported.
Youth Suicide Rates Are on the Rise
According to a recent report by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate among children ages 5 to 14 increased by over 10% every year between 2010 and 2021. Teenagers and young adults had a 7% decline through 2017 and then a roughly 20% rise in the next four years.
In absolute terms, the rise is modest, but it stands in stark contrast to the 5.3% yearly fall across all age groups in the country seen between 2010 and 2021, which researchers attribute to the country's expanded mental health services.
They said that the pressure children and teens feel to succeed academically has led to a rise in the prevalence of mental health issues and suicide attempts. Students make up half of China's depressed population, according to a nationwide study conducted in 2022.
The study's authors urged policymakers to make it a top priority to create programs for kids and teenagers that include international best practices for spotting suicidal tendencies early on.
Bloomberg said that the competition among China's youth has always been high as they strive for academic success and promising careers in school. Three years of the Covid-19 outbreak have been a source of stress for young people in China, with the pandemic leading to sudden lockdowns around the country, including on many campuses.
See Also: Record-High Youth Unemployment in China Hits Women, Humanities Graduates Hardest
Call to Action
A 15-year-old boarding school student, Hu Xinyu, apparently committed suicide earlier this year, as reported by Global Times. This news garnered great attention in China due to the boy's prior anxiety over his grades and the police's handling of the case.
Beijing promised a major revamp of its education tech industry in 2021, including a prohibition on exploitation by enterprises that teach the school curriculum. Stress at home was cited as a major factor by many parents who felt they had to give in to pressure to hire private tutors.
The researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also expressed concern that the common notion among parents and educators that academic success is paramount risks hiding the prevalence of mental health problems among youngsters.
Meanwhile, Chinese netizens were quick to express their shock and grief at the passing of Coco Lee, 48, this week. She is a popular singer and songwriter from Hong Kong. The Mandapop star was hospitalized after attempting suicide at home over the weekend. Her older sisters, Carol and Nancy, stated she died in a coma.
One Weibo user said, "Coco's passing is also a wake-up call for us to take our mental health seriously," according to Bloomberg.
See Also: Chinese-American Singer Coco Lee Dies at 48
