Addressing the Rise in Adolescent Suicide Through Collaboration

In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents (ages 12–19). Adolescence is marked as the developmental period between childhood and adulthood and is associated with increased risk-taking behaviors, as well as increased emotional reactivity. Online and in-person bullying, increased social media usage, isolation due to the pandemic, and a general lack of access to mental health care are all contributing factors to the rise in adolescent suicide since 2007.

We recently had the privilege of speaking with Khary Blackmon, MS, NCC, LPC, who recognized early on in his career within the Philadelphia public schools that even children with the most severe trauma were responsive to people who showed them genuine compassion. This epiphany led him to launch Triumph Counseling Group, LLC, a Black provider led practice tailored specifically to children, adolescents, and young adults from any and all cultural backgrounds. Since its inception in 2019, Triumph has grown to include numerous counselors and continues to demonstrate how skin color should not be a barrier to effective care. In his individual counseling work, Blackmon has remained committed to specifically serving preadolescent and adolescent boys.

Blackmon has witnessed the rise of adolescent suicidality firsthand in both his private practice and in school settings.

“What’s particularly concerning is that the age at which young people are expressing a desire to no longer live seems to be getting younger. A decade ago, it wasn’t uncommon for 14- to 18-year-olds to answer yes to a question like, ‘Have you ever thought about killing yourself or wished you were dead?’” says Blackmon. “Now, my practice has easily seen a 100% increase in children under age 12 answering yes to this question.”

While the onset of these thoughts appears to be happening at younger ages, Blackmon asserts that although it is not unheard of, it is rare for children under age 12 to have a plan or attempt to end their life. However, adolescents over age 13 are reporting higher rates of suicide attempts.

So, what can counselors do to help quell these trends?

For starters, Blackmon stresses involving caretakers and collaborating as a team. Conversations should include psychoeducation for the caretakers, safety planning, and establishing a positive support system.

“As a general rule of thumb, the younger the client, the more involved the caretaker(s) should be in the treatment process. They can attend sessions with their child and/or spend time with me to learn practical skills and gain alternative perspectives. It is equally beneficial to prepare and educate a child’s support system as it is to support the child themselves,” advises Blackmon.

Furthermore, Blackmon highlights consistency, structure, and inclusivity, even with his youngest clients. He includes them in the conversation when it is necessary to include a caregiver. If a crisis center is necessary, he identifies the three closest locations but allows his client or student to choose where they feel most comfortable going.

Blackmon also emphasizes gaining an appreciation and understanding for the lives of today’s adolescents. With various apps and social media outlets often bringing up the topic of suicide, Blackmon chooses to use them to his advantage. To help de-stigmatize thoughts of suicide, he suggests asking clients to identify three posts via their favorite online platforms that offer support for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.

Counselors should also consider the cultural backgrounds of their young clients when approaching treatment.

“While I understand that having a counselor of color does not automatically guarantee the best fit for every client of color, research consistently shows that client outcomes improve when they work with someone who shares similar cultural backgrounds and experiences,” says Blackmon. “This is especially important for adolescents, as feeling understood and represented is critical to their healing process.”

Blackmon takes great pride in Triumph’s partnerships with numerous Philadelphia area schools. Triumph provides them with contracted school counselors and assists in the creation of workshops and professional development opportunities for faculty, administrators, and staff. These partnerships provide numerous benefits to all parties. Students have access to care in both school and clinical settings, and those serving them become well-equipped to do so.

“It has been deeply rewarding to support these amazing organizations and schools, helping them achieve success on both a macro and micro level,” says Blackmon.

Given Blackmon’s experiences as both a school counselor and clinical counselor, he has a deep understanding of how these roles differ in helping adolescents with thoughts of suicide. His role as a school counselor focused more on being a key connector, while his role as a clinical counselor concentrates more on long-term support, addressing underlying issues, and helping clients navigate their emotions in a safe, structured way.

“As a school counselor, I built rapport with students and bridged the gap between school and outside support services, regularly checking in to ensure the safety plan we built was followed and any barriers to learning were minimized,” says Blackmon. “In a clinical setting, counselors have much smaller caseloads and more time to build deeper rapport with clients. This allows them to use therapeutic interventions to help clients create and achieve goals, ultimately reducing suicidality.”

Blackmon concludes that the effects of trauma are profound and to remember that they are unique to every child and situation. Counselors in both school and clinical settings should watch for warning signs that could lead to increased thoughts of suicide, including expressing hopelessness about the future, withdrawal from social connections, out-of-character hostility, and increased agitation. Quick acknowledgment of these behaviors to combat the crisis can lead to lessened suicidal thoughts, and as one of Triumph’s core values states, being present, patient, and kind matters.

“I’m fortunate to work closely with young people almost daily through our continued involvement in educational and community spaces. I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to do this work and witness the impact it has on the lives of others,” says Blackmon.

Khary Blackmon, MS, NCC, LPC, graduated from Lincoln University and began his career as a teacher in the Philadelphia public schools. Through teaching, he discovered too many talented, resilient Black and Brown students that were not reaching their full potential. This sparked his passion for advocating for better outcomes for the children and families he served.

Blackmon earned his master’s degree in counseling psychology with a focus on schools from Holy Family University. Upon graduation, he became a lead clinician at one of Philadelphia’s top psychiatric hospitals, where he gained firsthand experience treating acute psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and trauma. He specifically developed a deeper understanding of the long-term effects of trauma and effective treatments in younger populations, leading Blackmon to begin his work as a therapist and focusing on preadolescent and adolescent boys.

Determined to address the unmet needs of the students he once taught, Blackmon also returned to the school system as a school counselor. In this setting, Blackmon found many students and families to be dissatisfied with the available mental health resources, propelling him to launch Triumph Counseling Group, LLC, which offers culturally relevant mental health services to the community. As Triumph Counseling Group grew, Blackmon left his school counselor role to focus on its increasing demand.

When not leading his practice, Blackmon directs the youth ministry at his church, is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and enjoys spending time with his family.

**Opinions and thoughts expressed in NBCC Visions Newsletter articles belong to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or practices of NBCC and Affiliates.