Suicide Rising Among Children
- 8 years ago
14-year-old Connor Ball seemed like he had it all, which is why it came as a shock to everyone around him when he took his own life in 2011. His mother, Tara Ball, told NBC News, "We thought that everything was good with Connor. We had no idea he was suffering from depression." Between 2007 and 2014 the suicide rate among middle schoolers in the United States more than doubled. Dr. John Draper, director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, said, "We certainly know there have been cultural changes, including social media." Clark Flatt said, "Bullying now can basically go on 24/7. I think that adds tremendous pressure to a young person."