Youth suicide up 62% since 2007, now new jersey wants to know why

Youth Suicide Up 62% Since 2007, Now New Jersey Wants to Know Why

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1 min read
June 14, 2024

TRENTON, NJ – In response to a disturbing 62% increase in youth suicide rates from 2007 to 2021, New Jersey has introduced a legislative measure aimed at understanding and mitigating the causes of youth suicide. The bill mandates a comprehensive study to be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Human Services, and the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.

The study will explore a range of potential causes and risk factors related to youth suicide, including aggression, anxiety, emotional and physical trauma, family history, mental and physical illness, social withdrawal, and substance use. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with reviewing a wide array of data and literature to ensure a thorough analysis while adhering to federal and state privacy laws.

The bill stipulates that within 180 days after it becomes effective, the Commissioner of Health must submit a report to both the Governor and the Legislature. This report will outline the findings from the study and include recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes aimed at preventing youth suicide.

The act is set to take immediate effect and will expire upon the submission of the Commissioner’s report, ensuring a targeted and timely approach to addressing this critical public health issue.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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