Suicide continues to be a major public health concern, and local experts say younger people in the Erie area are increasingly at risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2024 and local data reflects that concern.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said the county has recorded 44 suicides so far this year, including five involving people under the age of 16.
“As of today, we have had 44 suicides in Erie County, five of them were under 16 years old. The average age historically in all the years I have been doing this is 40-60 years old”, said Cook.
While most people who die by suicide in Erie County have historically been between the ages of 40 and 60, experts said children and teenagers also face significant risks.
Nina Ferraro, the Director of Bahavioral Health for Allegheny Health Network, points to a recent report covering 2023 through 2025 that found children ages 10 to 14 in the Erie area were three times more likely to die by suicide than children in the rest of Pennsylvania and nationally.
“But it was from 23-25 and it showed that children in our area are really significantly at risk for suicide. Three times more likely than the rest of the state and nationally to die of suicide from 10-14 years old here in the Erie area, so it really is significant and it’s something we should be aware of,” Ferraro said.
Ferraro said warning signs in children can include withdrawing from school, family or friends, expressing feelings of numbness or talking about wanting to hurt themselves.
She says open, direct and nonjudgmental communication is important when checking in with someone who may be struggling.
“Direct and concise communication. If you are coming to them with an open heart and you are saying, ‘How are you feeling?’, ‘Have you ever thought of hurting yourself?’, ‘Have you ever had thoughts like this?’, and be non-judgmental and open to the conversation and seek support,” Ferraro said.
She also said stress, anxiety and social media can negatively affect young people, making support from family members and the broader community especially important.
“As a community, we can provide some more care. We can connect with them in different ways, but we want people to know they are not alone,” Ferraro said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, help is available through Crisis Services at 814-456-2014. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.