US: Research shows rise in teenage suicides from bullying
The number of teenagers taking their own lives due to bullying and homophobic bullying has increased dramatically over the past seven years, according to research.
The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) have released the findings of a new study, showing 78% of teens who committed suicide had been bullied both online and at school and only 17% were targeted solely online.
Mood disorders were reported in 32% percent of the teens, with an additional 15% suffering from depression. 24% were found to be the victims of homophobic bullying.
Study author Dr John LeBlanc said: “Cyberbullying is a factor in some suicides, but almost always there are other factors such as mental illness or face-to-face bullying.”
Dr Le Blanc added: “Cyberbullying usually occurs in the context of regular bullying.”
The study analysed the suicides of 24 girls and 17 boys, aged 13 to 17 in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The study also found that teen suicides have increased over time, with 56% of the cases examined occurring over seven years from 2003 to 2010, and 47% in just fourteen months between January 2011 and April 2012.
