Our children are crying out: A call to action against teen suicide

“When parents listen with love, hope grows. When teachers choose kindness, lives brighten. When we speak openly about children’s mental health, stigma fades,” wrote Dr Nguyen Ngoc Quynh Anh from RMIT Vietnam, calling for action on World Suicide Prevention Day.

*Warning: This article discusses topics related to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and mental health challenges. Some readers may find this content distressing. If you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, please stop reading and, if needed, reach out for support via the hotline at the end of this article.

They sit in our classrooms every day – young people weighed down by challenges that exceed their emotional capacity.

Imagine a student arriving at school each morning with a smile that masks an unbearable pain inside. They might be laughing with friends while secretly wondering if tomorrow is worth seeing. This is not just imagination but a reality for many adolescents today.

The data is deeply concerning. In Vietnam, groundbreaking research involving over 1,500 high school students found that nearly one in three teenagers has thought about ending their own lives. Even more alarmingly, one in eight has formulated a plan of how to do it. Other studies have found that between 11–16.9% of Vietnamese adolescents have thought about suicide in the previous 12 months.

These aren't just statistics on a page. They reflect the experiences of real young people. Behind each number is an individual grappling with emotional pain and a sense of isolation that can make suicide feel like the only option.

What pushes adolescents toward such despair? Research has identified consistent patterns that should concern every adult who cares about young people:

• Our children are suffering in silence: They are carrying heavy emotional loads, often feeling pressured to be perfect in a world that demands so much from them. They may be struggling with academics, body image, relationships, and expectations that feel impossible to meet.

• Depression and anxiety are stealing adolescents’ joy: These are not just "teenage mood swings”, but real mental health conditions that can feel all-consuming. Children and teenagers are vulnerable not because they are “weak”. These conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age and background.

• Academic pressure is crushing their spirits: Parental expectations, social media comparisons, and competition can make them feel like they are never enough.

• Negative experiences at school can deeply impact students: Conflicts at school, such as arguments with classmates, punishments by teachers, and moments of shame, can shatter a teenager's sense of self-worth, leaving them feeling hopeless and alone.

This is not someone else's problem. It is our shared responsibility to protect our children. So, what can we do?

1. Transform schools into sanctuaries of hope

Every teacher holds the power to change a life with their words and actions. When educators approach students with genuine care, respect, and understanding – choosing encouragement over criticism, patience over frustration – they become beacons of hope in dark moments. Every interaction matters.

2. Give children the gift of emotional wisdom

When children understand their emotions, they find their strength. Students with high emotional intelligence – those who can name their feelings, express their needs, and manage their reactions – are far less likely to see suicide as an option. They have tools to navigate their pain instead of being consumed by it.

Imagine if every child learned to understand their emotions the way they learn math or science. Picture classrooms where students practice mindfulness, learning to breathe through anxiety and discovering that their feelings are valid but manageable. Art therapy, music programs, peer support groups, and social-emotional learning are not just "extracurriculars" but lifelines. They teach our children that they have power over their emotions, not the other way around.

3. Support parents with resources and compassion

Parenting is complex and demanding. Research shows that children who grow up experiencing warmth, acceptance, and unconditional love from their main carers develop stronger emotional resilience. Main carers need to learn how to listen without judgement, understand their children’s needs instead of imposing or interfering, and show their love in the right ways.

4. Make seeking mental health help as normal as going to the doctor

Every school needs counsellors who feel like safe harbours, not scary authorities. Students should be able to walk into a counselling office the same way they visit the nurse for a scraped knee – without shame or fear, and with the confidence that they'll be met with care and understanding. Teachers and staff need training to spot warning signs and respond with empathy, connecting students to appropriate help.

5. Break the silence

Mental health struggles are not shameful secrets to hide. Our communities need to start talking openly about depression, anxiety, and suicide. When we normalise talking about mental health, we give our children permission to reach out before their struggles become overwhelming. We show them that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Together, we can make sure that every child who walks through our schools, our neighbourhoods and our lives knows this truth: “You are wanted. You are needed. You are loved. And this world is better because you are in it”.

Story: Dr Nguyen Ngoc Quynh Anh, Program Manager, Psychology, School of Science, Engineering & Technology, RMIT University Vietnam

Masthead & thumbnail image: Ermolaev Alexandr – stock.adobe.com

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If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please do not suffer in silence. Reach out to a trusted adult, a counsellor, or call the 24/7 mental health helpline 19001267 (connected to the Ho Chi Minh City Psychiatric Hospital).