This column discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

By Jacqueline Seals and Catherine Hines

University of Kentucky

According to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, suicide numbers among children aged 6-17 have increased since 2020. Among young adults (ages 18-24), those numbers rose until 2023 but have shown a decline in 2024. As the school year begins each year, suicide risk among youth and young adults tends to rise.

For youth and young adults still in school, unique stressors within the academic environment can contribute to increased mental health challenges and heightened suicide risk. Some of those stressors include, but are not limited to:

• Being a victim of bul

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