Shocking stories of young children committing suicide have captured recent headlines, raising concerns about what could be fueling these tragedies. While experts point to various causes, they say some key activities can help protect your children, like teaching them about God.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1999 through 2015, 1,309 children ages 5 to 12 took their own lives in the US.
In Alabama, family and friends are mourning the recent death of 9-year-old McKenzie Adams. Her family believes bullying at school led McKenzie to take her life, a claim disputed by school officials.
“Things you wouldn’t think a 9-year-old should know,” her mother Jasmine Adams told a local news station. “And before my baby could tell me some of the things they said to her, I was like, ‘Where are they learning this from?'”
At least three other children under the age of 12 have also died by suicide this year.
In November, 9-year-old Maddie Whitsett in Birmingham took her own life, and in August, 9-year-old Jamel Myles killed himself after being bullied for saying he was gay.
Mental health experts say while bullying plays a big role, other issues can contribute to this tragic trend. {eoa}
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