Between 2000 and 2023, U.S. poison control centers documented a staggering 311% increase in children ages 6–12 using household medications, supplements, or psychoactive substances for self-harm or suicide—with 11-year-olds experiencing the sharpest rise (397%), according to a Pediatrics study published Sept. 8. The research, led by Nationwide Children's Hospital, analyzed 1.5 million exposure cases, revealing that 95.8% occurred in private homes, where pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen), antihistamines, cough syrups and even vitamins became weapons of despair.

Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for children ages 10–14, per the National Institute of Mental Health—trailing only unintentional injuries. Yet the crisis extends beyond fatalities: One in five high schoolers reported seriously considering suicide in 2023, while 9% attempted it, the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey found. Among 6- to 12-year-olds, girls accounted for over 82% of intentional exposures, with 25.8% of all cases in 12-year-olds linked to self-harm—a figure researchers called "alarmingly high."

Dr. Mike Franz, senior medical director of behavioral health at Regence, warned that "parents often underestimate the risk" for this age group. "We used to focus on toddlers and teens, but 10- to 12-year-olds are now a vulnerable blind spot," he said. "These kids are impulsive, lack consequence awareness and are bombarded by stressors—pandemic aftermath, climate doom, social media—without the tools to cope."

The household threat: How "safe" medications turn deadly

The study identified the five most abused substances in child self-harm cases:

Pain relievers (e.g., oxycodone, acetaminophen)

Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl)

Cough/cold preparations (e.g., dextromethorphan)

Stimulants and street drugs (e.g., ADHD meds, marijuana)

Vitamins (e.g., iron supplements, which can be toxic in excess)