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Teen Suicide |
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Teen suicide is a serious problem in the United States. It is the third
leading cause of death among teenagers — almost 2,000 teens kill themselves
each year.1
Many more teens attempt suicide. A recent survey of high-school students found
that:
- Almost 1 in 5 had seriously considered attempting suicide;
- More than 1 in 6 had made plans to attempt suicide; and
- More than 1 in 12 had made a suicide attempt in the past year.2
If you look around a class of 25 students, at least five are likely
to have seriously considered suicide, and at least two are likely to
have tried to kill themselves in the past year.
Female teens are much more likely to attempt suicide than males 3,
but male teens are four times more likely to actually kill themselves.4
Over sixty-percent of teens who kill themselves use guns.5
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Risk Factors for Suicide6 |
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Some factors consistently increase a person's risk of suicide and attempted suicide. The factors that put people at higher risk include:
- A prior suicide attempt
- Having a psychiatric disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or personality disorders
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- A family history of mental disorders or substance abuse
- A family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Firearms in the home
- A significant medical illness, such as cancer or chronic pain
- Exposure to other teenagers who have committed suicide7
Other risk factors include a history of physical and/or sexual abuse, poor
communication with parents, incarceration, and lack of access or an unwillingness
to seek mental health treatment.8-11
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Warning Signs of Suicide12 |
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You may notice possible indications that a friend or loved one is thinking about suicide. Here are some typical warning signs:
- Talking about suicide, including making such statements as "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead," or "I wish I hadn't been born"
- Withdrawing from social contact and having an increased desire to be left alone
- Wide mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day but deeply discouraged the next
- Preoccupation with death and dying or violence
- Changes in routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Personality changes, such as becoming very outgoing after being shy
- Risky or self-destructive behavior, such as drug use or unsafe driving
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again
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Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide
What should you do if someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED IMMEDIATE HELP
If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone.
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References
- 1, 4, 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WISQARS
(Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System)
- 2, 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). Youth
risk behavior surveillance - United States, 1999. In: CDC Surveillance
Summaries, June 9, 2000. MMWR 2000;49(No. SS-5), p. 10.
- 6, 12Mayo Clinic Suicide: Understand causes, signs and prevention
- 7 Velting, D. M., & Gould, M. S. (1997). Suicide contagion.
In R. W. Maris & M. M. Silverman (Eds.), Review of Suicidology (pp. 96-137).
New York: Guilford Press.
- 8 Brent, D. A., Baugher, M., Bridge, J., Chen, T., &
Chiappetta, L. (1999). Age and sex-related risk factors for adolescent suicide.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology,
38, 1497-1505.
- 9 Hayes, L. M. (2000). Suicide prevention in juvenile facilities. Juvenile Justice, 7(1)
- 10 Gould, M. S., Fisher, P., Parides, M., Flory, M., &
Shaffer, D. (1996). Psychosocial risk factors of child and adolescent completed
suicide. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53, 1155-1162.
- 11 U.S Public Health Service (1999). The
Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, p. 9. Washington,
D.C.
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