Why Are So Many Millennials Dying by Suicide?

Overall, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2020). However, it is the second leading cause of death among individuals from 10-34 years old. A recent article by Khazan (2020), published in The Atlantic highlights the concerning trend of increased suicidality and substance abuse among millennials. Economic factors, the opioid epidemic, and the rise of social media all appear to contribute to the downturn of millennial mental health.

The Influence of Economic Factors

Many millennials were directly impacted by the Great Recession of 2008. While in past generations, young adults were able to find jobs with relative ease, many young adults entering the workforce during this era found nothing. Moreover, many recent graduates had to move back home with their families due to the inability to cover living expenses.

Now during the current pandemic, many people have experienced disruptions to career movement, delayed promotions, or even instances of unemployment. At this time, many millennials are at the prime position for career advancement, yet are unable to move forward due to the circumstances.

Khazan (2020) also highlights that in American culture, job status is highly attached to our identities. Following this mindset, feelings of underachievement or unemployment can bring about shame, guilt, and remorse.

Many young adults are also struggling with affording daily life costs. Khazan (2020) notes that many millennials feel as though they cannot carry out “adult” tasks, such as owning a house, buying a car, or going on vacation due to financial strain. All of these factors combined can contribute to an overwhelming feeling of being behind and unable to catch up to planned goals.

The Opioid Epidemic

The Opioid Epidemic also became prevalent as millennials grew up. Beginning the late 1990s and continuing to this day, millions of Americans have died from opioid-related overdoses (HHS, 2019). Moreover, young adults are one of the most vulnerable age brackets for opioid-related death. The Opioid Epidemic has affected communities throughout the United States, and has been associated with countless health, financial, and societal consequences. Moreover, Khazan (2020) mentions that many deaths from overdose are actually suicides disguised.

The Danger of Social Media

Millennials were also the first generation to be introduced to social media during the formative years. Social media is the perfect platform for comparison to others, as we see the best moments of other people’s lives and compare them to our own, comparatively worse, lives. Especially when social media was in its infancy, there was little knowledge about how social media could affect self-esteem, mental health, or overall feelings of wellbeing. Millennials were the guinea pigs in a sense for the rise of social media, and many have experienced negative outcomes due to social comparison, the strive for perfectionism, and the constant guilt or shame that could come from not living up to unrealistic expectations.

How Isolation Can Hurt

Isolation is also a huge factor that can contribute to suicidality, especially among millennials. During times of mandatory self isolation and social distancing, many of us have experienced just how difficult it is to be separated from our support system. Moreover, being single or living alone can contribute to increased feelings of isolation and lack of support. As people, we need adequate social support and interaction for our overall well being. Lacking these supports can increase the risk of suicidality, as well as the development of other mental health concerns.

What Are The Outcomes?

Millennials as a whole are suffering. According to Khazan (2020), they experience close to twice the rate of anxiety disorders compared to Baby Boomers. Moreover, the mortality rates of Millennials are significantly higher compared to those in Generation X at the same age (Khazan, 2020). Alcoholism and drug use is also a concern for Millennials, due to increased overdoses as well as instances of individuals in their twenties and thirties passing away due to alcoholic liver disease, which generally develops later in life (Khazan, 2020).

What Can We Do?

Promoting awareness and education on suicide statistics, warning signs, and treatments can help to support all individuals in any age group. Moreover, prioritizing social support can be a major lifesaver for someone struggling with suicidality. Reaching out to a friend, extending your support to a neighbor, or asking for help yourself are all important things to consider. If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, or know anyone who is, please contact 911 for emergency situations. You can also reach out to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to get connected with a certified Crisis Counselor, or reach out to us to get started with therapy.