Family tension top cause of teen suicide

Family conflict is the main cause of suicide among middle and primary school students in China, with much of the tension arising from excessive academic pressure, according to an annual education blue book released on Wednesday.

The report, released by 21st Century Education Research Institute and China Social Sciences Academic Press, said teen suicide has become a serious problem.

A survey taken between October 2016 and September 2017 reveals that 267 out of 392 youth suicides involved primary and middle school students.

Suicides among middle school students were significantly higher than among primary school students.

The total number of suicides of those aged between 13 and 17 is 4.7 times higher than those aged between 8 and 12.

Within these figures, boys made up 62.5 percent of the total, according to the report.

The report also showed that the back-to-school season saw an upward spike in suicides, while they occurred much less frequently during winter and summer holidays.

Increasing use of mobile devices among youth was also seen as contributing to depression and loneliness, and is also blamed for lessening the beneficial effects of face-to-face communication with friends and families. 

The report advised reducing the academic burden of middle and primary school students to help ease conflicts between parents and children, as well as teachers and students. 

Wang Kan contributed to the story.