Report: 16 percent of teens have considered suicide

By NBC Chicago and msnbc.com staff

Nearly 16 percent of high school teens nationwide admitted they had considered suicide within the previous year, according to an annual survey published Thursday by?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the full story on NBCChicago.com

Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance report (pdf.)?came from a nationally representative sample of more than 15,000 students in public and private high schools across the U.S.

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According to the survey, teens in Chicago are among the most depressed in the nation.

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While almost 8 percent had attempted suicide nationwide, nearly 16 percent had attempted suicide in Chicago.

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Dr. Hector Adames, a Chicago neuropsychologist,?pointed to constant digital communication as the problem.

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"What happens with an increase in communication among students is that there's more pressure. There's more bullying," he said.?"When adolescents and children feel embarrassed, it's kind of like the end of the world for them."

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Adames said it is important for parents to stay involved in their child's lives.

"It's OK to be vigilant. It's OK to ask questions. And most important: observe, observe, observe. If there's any change, if there's anything different about your child."

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