Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

261: Teen Depression & Suicide in 2026: What’s Different Now? with Dr. Jonathan Singer

6 snips
Mar 3, 2026
Guest
Jonathan B. Singer
Dr. Jonathan B. Singer, a leading expert in youth suicide prevention and co-author of Suicide in Schools, joins to discuss teen depression and suicide in 2026. He explains changing national and local trends. He covers warning signs, how to ask directly about self-harm, online language and monitoring limits, safe use of AI, and reasons for cautious hope.
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INSIGHT

Feeling Like A Burden Drives Risk

  • A leading risk theme is youths feeling that who they are is a problem or a burden to family/community.
  • Singer links this to conflicts over identity, pronoun use, or expectations that make adolescents feel they cause harm by existing.
ADVICE

Use Digital Clues But Know The Slang

  • Monitor digital signals but learn the slang and look for sudden withdrawal from apps as a red flag.
  • Singer notes terms like unalived or KMS and that deactivation can signal social disconnection preceding risk.
ADVICE

Check Your Fear And Ask For Help

  • If you're scared when your child is down, check your worst-case story and reach out for help rather than assuming inevitability.
  • Call 988, use telehealth, or tell your child you're scared and invite an open, vulnerable conversation, Singer recommends.
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