NC child suicides continue to rise, state data shows

The total number of child suicides in North Carolina in 2021 was 57, one higher than the 2020 total. That's compared to just 36 child suicides in 2019.

According to task force executive director Kella Hatcher, most of the increase in suicides are child firearm suicides. She said firearms are now the leading cause of injury deaths for children under 17, including murders, suicides, and accidental shootings.

Hatcher also said ER visits for self-inflicted injuries increased by 46% among girls aged 10 to 14 in 2021.

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The U.S. Surgeon General's office says having enough mental health support staff in schools is vital to reducing child suicide. School nurses, counselors, psychologists and social workers can provide a support net for students in crisis. But state schools still have far too few of those workers, and the pay isn't high enough to attract more candidates.

State lawmakers directed about $40 million dollars in federal COVID-19 funds to school districts to help this year, but that money has almost all been used by districts, and there’s no guarantee it will be available next year, making it difficult for schools to hire permanent staff.

The Child Fatality Task Force's subcommittee on intentional death voted Monday to ask lawmakers to continue to provide those extra funds in the future.

The NC Child Fatality Prevention Team is also recommending that lawmakers revisit the issue of gun storage. The group says the state could help reduce suicides by increasing gun owner education about safe storage and gun locks.

The state House approved a safe storage program in 2021, but the Senate never took it up.

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