According to March 14th Education Week article, “[b]etween 2005 and 2017, the proportion of teens 12-17 who reported the symptoms of a major depressive episode within the last year rose from 8.7 percent to 13.2 percent, the data showed. Adults ages 18-25 showed similar trends, while rates remained relatively stable for older generations.” This data supports other studies that show a recent increase in teens that attempted or considered suicide.

Also identified is the need for an increased focus on preparing staff to spot warning signs of serious emotional issues in students, as well as teaching children as early as middle school to spot signs of suicidal thoughts in their peers. The article also points to an ACLU report that shows a lack of resources to address mental illness in schools across the nation, including inadequate numbers of school counselors and psychologists.