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In-Person Schooling and Youth Suicide: Evidence from School Calendars and Pandemic School Closures

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  • Benjamin Hansen
  • Joseph J. Sabia
  • Jessamyn Schaller

Abstract

This study explores the effect of in-person schooling on youth suicide in the United States. We show that youth suicide rates historically declined during summers and rose again earlier in counties with an August school starting date. We document a departure from this pattern at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: youth suicides fell 25 percent in March 2020, when schools closed, and remained low throughout summer. Leveraging county variation in the timing of reopening, we find that returning to in-person instruction increased youth suicides by 12–18 percent. Analysis of Google search data suggests that bullying is a likely mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Hansen & Joseph J. Sabia & Jessamyn Schaller, 2024. "In-Person Schooling and Youth Suicide: Evidence from School Calendars and Pandemic School Closures," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(S), pages 227-255.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:s:p:s227-s255
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1222-12710R2
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    2. Levere, Michael & Hemmeter, Jeffrey & Wittenburg, David, 2024. "The importance of schools in driving children’s applications for disability benefits," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other

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