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Education > Our Community Education Services
Suicide Risk and Prevention: Youth
Youth suicide and suicide attempts are major public health concerns in the
United States. Suicide first emerges as a serious risk during adolescence. The
Center for Disease Control states that a far greater number of youths attempt
suicide each year than commit suicide.
Is This a Large Problem?
Consider these facts:
- One in seven New York high school students seriously considered
attempting suicide.
- One in ten New York high school students made a specific suicide plan in
2001.
- 150,000 New York teens attempted suicide in 2000.
- 82 of these youth died by suicide in 2000.
- For every completed suicide, there are between eight and 25 more
attempts.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people 10-
19 years old.
What Do We Know About These Children?
- 90% of youth who die by suicide have a mental disorder at the time of
their death.
- The most common diagnoses are mood disorder, such as depression,
alcohol or drug abuse, or conduct disorder (serious behavior problem).
- Most of these youth are not receiving treatment although there are
effective treatments for many of their disorders.
- Alcohol and substance abuse increase the likelihood that a young person
will attempt suicide.
- Getting into trouble at school or with the legal system, or a breakup with a
girlfriend or boyfriend can trigger an attempt.
- Girls attempt suicide more frequently than boys do, but boys are more
likely to complete suicide.
What increases the likelihood that a young person will attempt or complete
suicide?
- A previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of completed
suicide.
- Having a mental illness, especially depression.
- Having an alcohol or substance abuse disorder.
- A family history of suicide.
- Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, including peers.
- Experiencing a stressful life event or loss, including breakup of an
important relationship.
- Easy access to lethal methods – especially guns. This is especially
significant as most attempts are impulsive acts.
- Incarceration
What decreases the likelihood that a young person will attempt or complete
suicide?
- Recognition that the individual is at risk.
- Easy access to effective treatments and support
- Strong connections to family and community support.
- Developing skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and nonviolent
handling of disputes.
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation.
- Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide.
How can we help prevent suicide by youth?
- Effective screening by those who regularly see children – such as their
doctors, teachers, coaches, members of the clergy.
- Referral to appropriate, easily available treatment and support, when
needed.
- Help children develop coping and problem solving skills.
- Promote overall mental health among school-aged children.
- Support families.
- Limit access to lethal agents including weapons.
- Evaluation youth exposed to suicide or suicidal behaviors.
(These data reported in Saving Lives in New York: Suicide Prevention and Public Health Volumes
1 & 2, 2005 and The Center for Disease Control, 2000)
Information about effective programs that can be used in schools, doctors’
offices, hospitals, and other places that affect youth can be found on the web site
of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center http://www.sprc.org.
Where Can I Find More Information?
For information on this web site, go to our Suicide in Children/Adolescents
and Suicide in Adults pages for warning signs, who is at risk and advice on what to do to help.
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major
operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the
health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services,
especially for those people who are least able to help themselves
US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm
“The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent Suicide” presented in 1999,
outlines more than a dozen steps that can be taken by individuals, communities,
organizations, and policymakers.
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