The Ongoing Epidemic of Youth Suicide in America

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States.

• Suicide rates in 2020 were 30 percent higher than in 2000.

The youth suicide rate was stable from 2000 to 2007, it then increased 56 percent between 2007 and 2017.

It seems clear that one incredibly effective device can prepare youth for the trials and missteps in life: Resilience. Resilience has been defined as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. And it can be taught to and by anyone.

Other iterations of the concept include language such as “bouncing back” and “falling forward.”

In his upcoming book, Heroes Are Human,” Bob Delaney reframes the discussion of resilience in profound ways. He offers three components, or needs, of learning resilience (Delaney et al, 2022).

• Identify and confront the issue.

• Search for meaning and an understanding that it’s not just about you.

• Be flexible, innovative, and adaptive.