Nearly 20 percent of Jacksonville high school students and nearly 30 percent of middle school students say they have seriously considered suicide, according to a survey conducted by the Duval County Public Schools and the Health Department.
The survey, given last year to more than 8,000 public school students, details an increase in suicidal thoughts and depression over surveys given in the previous two years. It also shows that no matter the age, girls are struggling more with the issue more than boys.
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From 2013-2015, the number of middle school students who said they were seriously contemplating suicide increased by 11 percent. Those making a plan about attempting suicide went up by 9 percent, and those attempting suicide increased by 7 percent.
From 2013 to 2015, the number of female middle school students that seriously contemplated suicide increased by 18 percent and suicide attempts by females increased by 9 percent increase. But for male middle school students, the survey found rates for seriously contemplating suicide and attempting suicide remained relatively unchanged during the same time period.
Among high school students, the number who have attempted suicide increased 64 percent from 2013 to 2015.
Certain students are affected more than others. Among female students, 18.9 percent say they have attempted suicide, compared with 17.9 percent of male students.
The survey found 53 percent of students that identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual. Nearly one in three students who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual have attempted suicide.
While about one third of high school students described themselves as depressed, of the female students surveyed, nearly 40 percent reported they were depressed, compared with 22 percent of male students.
The survey also raises information on sexual behavior, alcohol and drug use, nutrition, sleep patterns and other behavior.
YOUTH RISK SURVEY: Middle school | High school
“We actively promote the completion of the survey to provide ourselves, partners and organizations with an objective way to determine how best to apply limited resources to improve outcomes," Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said. "We have a lot of work to do as a community to fill the gaps created by poverty and inadequate parenting. Filling these gaps must be a priority because as a society we pay for the negative consequences for these causes one way or the other.”