Social Media Partially Responsible For Rise in Potentially Suicidal Students
DAVIS (CBS13) — A spike in potentially suicidal students in Davis schools has administrators working against social media peer pressure.
According to the Davis Joint Unified School District, the number of students being screened for possible suicidal behavior rose from 52 two years ago to 94—an 81 percent increase.
Psychotherapist Mark Foster says part of the increase has to do with the rise in social media use among teenagers.
“There is a whole life going on, sometimes, with your child that you don’t know about,” Foster said.
The school district released a statement, saying: “The increase in mental-health issues among teenagers is a national trend. In Davis we have chosen to take a proactive approach by researching the best methods to address student safety and welfare.”
Foster adds it’s not just the school’s responsibility to work with students.
“I think the more eyes you get on young people, the better,” he said.
School staff say that while they are contacting parents, they will contact police to keep students safe if need be.
CBS13 requested the same rates from Sacramento City Unified School District, but they have not responded yet to our request.
