While suicides by drug or medicine overdose have decreased overall in recent years, the new federal data published Wednesday raises flags regarding several troubling exceptions.In the overall downward trend, intentional overdose deaths increased among teens and Young adults ages 15 to 24.
Black women and Americans ages 75 to 84 also saw an increase.Experts hoped to address gaps in the existing research about who is at most risk of suicide by drug overdose. Their findings serve as a stark reminder that American teenagers and Young adults struggle with mental health problems and suicide.
Parents or caregivers who are taking any medications themselves should keep a count of how many pills they have and not give their child access to them, she said. If children are on medication after a surgery or injury, parents should distribute them and make a point to check in on their mental health. All leftover medicine should be returned to the doctor’s office or pharmacy.
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