If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If this is an emergency, call 911.
In the past decade, suicide has emerged as one of the leading causes of death among teens in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a troubling rise in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide amongst adolescents.1
At the same time, young people are spending more hours than ever in digital environments. Social media platforms have become the central stage for identity, social interaction, and emotional expression—and for many teens, that stage has no intermission.
This shift has led public health leaders, educators, and mental health experts to ask critical questions: How does social media and teenage suicide intersect? What are schools seeing in real time? And most importantly, what can educators do to intervene before a tragedy occurs?
These questions were part of the focus of our recent webinar, Supporting Students, Saving Lives: Expert Perspectives on Suicide Prevention in Schools. Featuring national and student well-being experts—Dr. Scott Poland, Professor and Director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at Nova Southeastern University, Dr. McKinley Withers, Health & Wellness Specialist at Jordan School District (UT), and Thom Jones, Senior Vice President of Detection & Prevention at Navigate360—the session brought together more than 1,000 school staff and leaders for a timely conversation on suicide prevention, intervention, and the growing impact of technology on student well-being.
This blog offers a high-level preview of that conversation.
Q: Why is this happening now—and what’s changed in the past decade?
The numbers tell a clear story: suicide rates among teens have climbed steadily since the early 2010s, according to the CDC. And while suicide is always complex, experts are increasingly focused on the ways that technology and digital culture are amplifying risk.
“This is the greatest challenge of our time,” said Dr. Scott Poland, Professor and Director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at Nova Southeastern University. “Social media is interfering with the very things teens need to stay mentally healthy.”
In particular, Dr. Poland and others point to the way social media and suicide risk overlap:
- Constant comparison to others
- Exposure to negative or harmful content
- Online bullying
- Interrupted sleep
- Isolation masked as connection
Add to that a lack of sleep, rising academic pressure, and lingering post-pandemic mental health challenges, and it’s clear that today’s students are navigating more than academics—they’re navigating a public health crisis.
Q: How does social media increase the risk of suicide?
Social media has become deeply woven into teen identity, and while it can offer support and connection, it also increases vulnerability.
Dr. Poland explained:
“Our Surgeon General said social media is wreaking havoc with teenagers—making them think they’re not smart enough, not rich enough, not good enough.”
He emphasized that excessive use of social media platforms can interfere with:
- Sleep
- In-person social connection
- Exercise and physical health
- Self-esteem
- Cognitive regulation
This constant exposure to curated, filtered, and often unrealistic content can lead teens toward anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts—especially if they are already experiencing stress, trauma, or bullying.
Want more insights into social media and youth mental health?
In this practical guide, nationally recognized school psychologist Dr. Scott Poland offers clear strategies to help K–12 leaders understand what’s happening, support staff and families, and create a culture that puts connection first.
Q: What are the early warning signs of suicide?
Recognizing the early warning signs of suicide is critical to prevention efforts. Dr. Poland noted that while some signs are obvious, others are more subtle—and may go unnoticed unless staff are trained to recognize them.
Common warning signs include:
- Talking or writing about suicide
- Withdrawing from friends or activities
- Sudden mood changes or increased irritability
- Giving away personal items
- Sleep disturbances
- Expressing hopelessness or saying they feel like a burden
“We’ve seen students posting about their suicidal thoughts or intentions online—but because their parents weren’t paying attention and their friends didn’t report it, no one knew until it was too late,” Poland said.
This highlights the need to educate school communities on how to recognize the warning signs of suicidal students, especially in digital spaces.
Q: What can staff do if they see warning signs of suicidal students online?
More and more, students are posting red flags on social media before saying anything in person. These may appear as:
- Vague posts like “I’m done” or “I can’t do this anymore”
- Lyrics or quotes about death or giving up
- Sudden goodbye messages or deleted accounts
- Mentions of self-harm or not being around much longer
School staff who come across these posts—either directly or through a student tip—should treat them seriously.
Thom Jones, SVP of Detection & Prevention at Navigate360, emphasized the need for a calm, clear response:
“We coach schools to treat any expression of suicide, online or off, as an invitation to check in—not as attention-seeking.”
Recommended steps:
- Document the concern using your school’s process
- Inform the appropriate staff or administrator
- Follow suicide risk protocols, including notifying the student’s guardians (unless abuse is suspected)
- Supervise the student until they are safely connected to help
Most importantly, schools must build a culture where anonymous reporting is normalized and trusted. That’s how peers—and even staff—feel empowered to speak up.
Q: Is it safe for educators to ask students directly about suicide?
Yes—and avoiding the question can be dangerous.
“There’s a myth that if I ask about suicide, I’ll plant the idea,” said Dr. McKinley Withers, Health & Wellness Specialist in Jordan School District. “It’s the opposite. Asking shows you care.”
Jordan School District trains staff across all levels—including bus drivers, office staff, and assistant principals—in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a proven method for identifying and responding to suicide risk.
Dr. Poland added that a student who shares suicidal thoughts should never be treated like they’re in trouble. Instead, the goal is connection, supervision, and appropriate handoff to care.
6 Ways Social Media Can Raise Suicide Risk
- Sleep disruption from late-night scrolling
- Increased anxiety from comparison and online pressure
- Cyberbullying and harassment
- Exposure to self-harm or suicide content
- Addiction-like behavior and loss of real-world engagement
- Isolation, masked as digital connection
Q: What role does sleep play in suicide prevention?
Healthy sleep is one of the most protective factors against mental health struggles and suicidal ideation.
“Adolescents need 8–10 hours of sleep a night,” said Dr. Poland. “But those devices under the pillow are interrupting that. And sleep deprivation is directly linked to depression and suicide.”
Poland shared a story of a mother who insisted her eighth-grade daughter needed to keep her phone nearby at night “in case her friends needed her.” But without rest, teens lose their ability to regulate emotions, respond to stress, and think clearly.
Schools can play a role by educating families on healthy tech boundaries and emphasizing sleep during family events, newsletters, and wellness weeks.
Q: How can schools educate and engage parents?
Sometimes, families are hesitant to talk about mental health or suicide—either because of stigma or fear.
Dr. Poland emphasized that language matters. When he promoted a parent event called Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility, only five families came. When he renamed it Raising Children in a Challenging World, the room was full.
“The stigma is real,” said Withers. “But it’s often based on fear, not disinterest. If we give parents grace and practical tools, most want to help.”
Schools can:
- Include 988 and suicide prevention resources in parent-facing materials
- Host sessions on digital wellness and emotional regulation
- Reframe mental health as a component of academic success
- Train staff on how to talk with parents calmly and clearly
Q: What should schools do when a student is identified as at risk?
Immediate, coordinated action is essential:
- Do not leave the student unsupervised
- Notify parents or guardians promptly (unless abuse is suspected)
- Involve school leadership and counseling staff
- Document everything
- Follow your school’s suicide risk assessment process
“If you think the risk is low, treat it as medium. If it’s medium, treat it as high,” Dr. Poland advised. “Err on the side of caution.”
Thom Jones also shared important data:
“Out of 23,449 suicide risk assessments logged last year in Navigate360 Behavioral Case Manager, only about 1% also involved homicidal risk. So yes, threat assessment matters—but it’s a different process.”
Q: What does long-term prevention look like?
While it’s important to have protocols in place, the panelists agreed that true suicide prevention is about relationships, consistency, and culture.
“Whether we like it or not, we’re teaching emotional lessons all the time,” said Withers. “Every disciplinary moment. Every staff interaction. It all sends a message.”
Dr. Poland encouraged districts to provide:
- Annual, role-specific training (30–45 minutes minimum)
- System-wide documentation and referral tools
- Skill-building curriculum
- Access to community mental health care
- Parent communication strategies that emphasize partnership
Where to Go from Here
The intersection of social media and teenage suicide is complex—but schools don’t have to navigate it alone. Prevention isn’t a one-time training. It’s a sustained effort that requires intentionality, leadership, and empathy.
If you’re a school leader, counselor, or educator looking to take the next step, here’s where to begin:
Watch the full webinar replay
Hear from Dr. Scott Poland, McKinley Withers, and Thom Jones as they discuss real-world strategies, community engagement, and actionable ways to support student mental health.
Download the free eBook
The Effects of Social Media on Youth Mental Health offers additional guidance, expert insight, and family-friendly messaging written by Dr. Poland.
Explore our Behavioral Case Manager
Navigate360’s platform helps you track risk, document interventions, and support students across the entire prevention spectrum.
Remember: Suicide prevention starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. What you model matters. What you allow matters. And the small conversations you have every day could be the reason a student gets the help they need.
