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Youth Suicide Facts
Visit www.suicidology.org for more information and detailed fact sheets
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15-19 and 15-24); only accidents and homicides occurred more frequently.
- As many as 4,000 young people die by suicide every year.
- Annually, there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth.
- Each day, there are approximately 11 youth suicides.
- Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.
- Males between 15 and 19 were 5 times more likely than females to complete suicide. Males between the ages of 20 and 24 were 6 times more likely than females to complete suicide (2002 data).
- Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method among youth, accounting for 52% of all completed suicides.
- Research has shown that the access to and the availability of firearms is a significant factor in observed increases in rates of youth suicide.
- For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made.
- A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for an eventual completion.
- Research has shown that most adolescent suicides occur after school hours and in the teen's home.
- Although rates vary somewhat by geographic locations, within a typical high school classroom, it is likely that three students (one boy and two girls) have made a suicide attempt in the past year.
- Not all adolescent attempters may admit their intent. Therefore, any deliberate self-harming behaviors should be considered serious and in need of further evaluation.
- Most adolescent suicide attempts are precipitated by interpersonal conflicts. The intent of the behavior appears to be to effect change in the behaviors or attitudes of others.
- Repeat attempters (those making more than one nonfatal attempt) generally use their behavior as a means of coping with stress and tend to exhibit more chronic symptomology, poorer coping histories, and have a higher presence of suicidal and substance abusive behaviors in their family histories.
Additional information for this fact sheet was gathered from:
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)website www.cdc.gov,a division of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (May 21,2004,53 (SS-2); June 11, 2004, 53(4),p.471-474).
Links for Statistics and Fact Sheets:
American Association of Suicidology
Reliable Information and Statistics About Suicide
www.suicidology.org
Centers for Disease Control ~ Healthy Youth
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey
www.cdc.gov
Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA)
State Data Profiles
www.health.state.mo
National Center for Injury Prevention & Control (WISCARS)
Injury Mortality Reports
www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Mental Health Suicide Research Consortium
Frequently Asked Questions
www.nimh.nih.gov
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