(5/20) Adolescence is supposed to be that in-between phase - not quite a kid, not quite an adult - filled with growth, learning, and a whole lot of figuring things out. It's the season of firsts: first cars, first crushes, first jobs, and all the excitement of what's ahead.
But lately, there's been a dark cloud hanging over this chapter of life. Sadly, the numbers show that youth mortality has actually gone up in America.
What's behind this? Read this guide, for we'll take a look at some of the main reasons behind this troubling trend.
Car Accidents
You might think that with all the new safety tech in cars and apps that block texting while driving, there would be fewer fatal car crashes. But that is not the case.
For adolescents between 15 and 19 years old, accidents or unintentional injuries, including car crashes, are the primary cause of death.
Why is that the case? First, inexperience. Teens and young adults are just more likely to make risky driving decisions, such as speeding. Then there's distracted driving - hello, phones!
It's not always the fault of teens, however. Sometimes, they do everything right and still end up in a deadly crash because of other reckless drivers on the road.
Cooper Schoenke's tragic story is a poignant example. Just last month, the 19-year-old died in Atlanta's Little Five Points when a fleeing driver ran a red light and hit his car. Cooper didn't stand a chance; he was declared dead at the scene.
Now, Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule. According to Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm, this means victims can still recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault.
In cases like these, families of victims can seek the help of an Atlanta car accident lawyer and recover compensation.
Mental Health Crisis
The growing mental health crisis young people are going through is also contributing to the rise in youth mortality.
In 2021, almost half, or 42%, of teens reported experiencing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. That's a huge jump from 28% in 2011.
Chronic depression and anxiety disorders are also becoming far too common among young people.
What's triggering the mental health crisis in young people? Social media, academic pressure, isolation, family stress, the economy - you name it.
Moreover, many of them aren't getting the help they need. School counselors are overwhelmed, therapy is expensive or inaccessible, and there's still a stigma around asking for help.
Not to forget, social media also contributes to mental health challenges. It fosters negative self-perception and facilitates cyberbullying. This is worsening the mental health crisis among the youth and tragically leading to a surge in youth mortality.
Fentanyl Overdose
Alarmingly, drug overdose is a leading cause of the growing number of young lives being lost. No other drug, except fentanyl, is a major contributing factor.
This potent synthetic opioid can be lethal with the first use. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. The amount needed to cause death in an average adult is shockingly small, only about 2 milligrams. That is about 5 to 7 grains of salt.
The scariest part is that most teens who overdose don't even know they are taking fentanyl. It's often mixed into counterfeit pills that look like legit medications, such as Xanax, Adderall, and Percocet.
It's due to these fentanyl-laced prescription pills that nearly 22 high school-aged adolescents lost their lives each week in 2022.
What's more worrying is the fact that only about 1 in 10 teens who died from an overdose had a history of substance use treatment. This points to a scarier reality: young people with limited or no prior exposure are falling victim. That just shows how important it is to educate people on fentanyl.
It's Time to Talk and Take Action
This surge in youth mortality isn't random. It's the result of systemic failures - healthcare, education, policy, and community support all falling short.
Sadly, these issues are often interconnected. For instance, mental health challenges can increase the risk of substance abuse or suicidal ideation involving firearms.
We can't fix it overnight, but we can start talking about it openly and honestly. That means raising awareness about fentanyl, making mental health care accessible, and promoting safe driving practices.
The surge in youth mortality isn't just a statistic, but a wake-up call. So, we must work together to create a safer future for them.
