This article by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), it brings a couple of interesting statistics, definitions and prevention ideas regarding the close link with suicide and bullying.

It claims that suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 12-18. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2007). It also says that in a typical 12-month period, 14% of American high school students seriously consider suicide, around 11% make plans and 6.3% actually attempt to kill themselves as of results of household problems and bullying at school. (CDC, 2010)

As of bullying itself, 32% of the students ages 12-18 reported being bullied during the years 2008-2009. Of these students, 21% said they were bullied once to twice a month; 10% reported being bullied once or twice a week and 7% reported being bullied daily. Around 9% reported being physically injured as a result of bullying. (Dinkes, Kemp, & Baum, 2009)

The study also explains that victims, perpetrators and those who are bully victims all three have more chances of being more depressive and, therefore, suicidal, as depression is extremely tightly linked with suicidal tendencies or ideas. Those who are more likely to be bullied have certain personal characteristics : internalization problems (withdrawal / anxiety/depression), low self-esteem, low assertiveness and aggressiveness in early childhood (by either peers or relatives & leads to social isolation and possible projection on fellows). Interestingly enough, it also explains that, usually, it is the suicidal kids who have a tendency to be even more bullied, increasing the chances for those to commit suicide. Child maltreatment, domestic violence and parental depression and all causes that pushes kids towards a more depressive state of mind and ideology. Also, as school lack adequate adult supervision (which can be a result of the physical layout of a school), bullies feel like they have more power in certain parts of the school, where they can bully without fear of being caught by an authoritative figure.

It also puts a great importance on the LGBT youth, as they are seen as overly deviant to the other kids, therefore more prone to being bullied. Some statistics included : "A 2005 survey of students ages 13–18 found that 65 percent reported being verbally or physically harassed or physically assaulted over the past year because of “their perceived or actual appearance, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, race/ethnicity, disability, or religion.” In contrast, 90 percent of LGBT teens reported being verbally or physically harassed or assaulted based on one or more of these characteristics (Harris Interactive & Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 2005)."

In conclusion, this organism recommends to :

• Start prevention early, so that younger kids have a way to counter bullies and also counter warning signs of suicide, especially when they are evident (when entering adolescence)
• Keep up with technology, which means that we should keep an idea at what happens online and keep in mind that it is a place where bullies can be as powerful as they see fit, therefore contributing to their delusion of grandeur and immunity. 
• Keep in mind that LGBT have an habit of being targeted as immediately as they are spotted in society, especially in school. When they do not conform to gender roles and expectations, they have an increased risk towards both bullying victimization and suicidal behaviour, it is important to keep a certain mind on this problem. 
• Using a comprehensive approach in order to reduce the risks of bullying and suicide. Therefore, empathy needs to prevail in order to understand what they are going through. 
• We need to focus on young people, during the phase where the seeds of bullying are planted. 

If you want to read more, you can see or download this document here.

Nicolas Q.