In 2018, 16-year-old Patrick Turner died by suicide, blaming school—not his parents—for the unbearable pressure he faced. He’s one of many. Today, nearly 1 in 5 high school students seriously consider ending their lives, yet schools across the country continue to ignore their role in this growing crisis. This article explores the deep connection between academic stress and teenage mental health, and why the voices of students like Patrick can no longer be ignored.

In 2021, according to the Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 22% of all high school students have seriously contemplated committing suicide. And of that 22%, 13.6% of them have ended their lives. Of those lost teenagers, the main cause of their suicide was directly related to academic stress. In today’s world, high schools all over the nation are turning a blind eye to this extremely consequential problem, and diffusing all sense of responsibility. But that needs to change. “Voices Unheard” An original by Jacob Sinai.