Florida
Rising Preteen Suicide Rates Spark Concern Among Pensacola Families
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988, the U.S. suicide and crisis lifeline, or access online chat at 988lifeline.org. For months, Marie’s 11-year-old daughter wasn’t acting like herself. The fifth grader was often…
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Key points
- The CDC reports a rise in preteen suicide rates, reaching 194 deaths in 2025, the highest since 2001.
- Factors contributing to this trend include COVID-19 impacts, bullying, and social media use.
- Local mental health experts encourage open conversations about mental health to help prevent further tragedies.
NewsWK — Recent data reveals a troubling trend in the United States regarding mental health among preteens, particularly in light of factors that have significantly affected children in Northwest Florida. According to preliminary figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of preteens aged 8 to 12 who died by suicide reached a concerning 194 in 2025, marking the highest number since 2001.
Experts attribute the increase in suicide rates among preteens to various stressors, including the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive use of social media, inadequate sleep, and bullying—both online and in-person. These factors have fostered environments where children feel isolated and unsupported, often leading to feelings of hopelessness. Dr. Prachi “PJ” Striker, a child psychiatrist, emphasized, “Kids are feeling unsupported. They have more alone time. They’re more isolated. People aren’t really picking up on some of the clues of depression as early.”
The National Institutes of Health noted that the suicide rate among preteens has been increasing at an average of 8.2% annually since 2008. Alarmingly, Black preteens report the highest overall suicide rates, while girls and Hispanic preteens have seen significant increases in attempts and ideation. The urgency for addressing these issues has never been more critical, with calls for enhanced mental health screenings and support tailored to vulnerable groups.
As families in Pensacola and surrounding areas face these challenges, local mental health advocates suggest that open conversations about mental health and suicide are essential. Jamie Freeny, a mental health consultant, noted that more elementary schools are requesting suicide prevention training, indicating a rising awareness of the issue. Furthermore, Lisa Horowitz, a visiting professor of child psychiatry, reassured parents that discussing suicide with children does not plant the idea in their minds, rather it can help in early identification and prevention of mental health disorders.
For families concerned about these developments, it is crucial to engage with children about their feelings and experiences. Resources, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention‘s toolkit “Talk Saves Lives,” offer guidelines for navigating these conversations.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the U.S. suicide and crisis lifeline by calling or texting 988.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Nada Hassanein originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
