Family Moves Double Teen Suicide Risk

Teens forced to move often by their parents’ jobs are much more likely to attempt suicide than those who stay put, MSNBC reports. Kids between 11 and 17 who moved three or more times were twice as likely to try to kill themselves as children who grew up in the same place, Danish researchers found. If a family moved 10 times, the likelihood of suicide quadrupled the average.

The lead author points out that “adolescence is an inherently turbulent time,” and moving upsets the natural process of growing up. “Change of residence often results in a breakdown of connections with peers and it introduces distress and worries,” she said. Moreover, parents are often too busy with the move to notice danger signs. “Children may feel ignored and have no friends around to communicate with.” (More teen suicide stories.)