 There
were 1,621 teen suicides (15-19) in the United States in 2000. For
young people ages 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death,
behind unintentional injury (mostly motor vehicle crashes) and
homicide. In 1998, more young people in the U.S. died due to suicide
than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke,
pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.
Currently, the risk for suicide is highest among young white males. Yet
from 1980 through 1995, suicide rates in the U.S. increased the most
among young black males. Adolescent males of all races are four times
more likely to commit suicide than females. From 1980-1997, males
committed 84% of suicides for ages 15-19. Adolescent females are twice
as likely as adolescent males to attempt suicide. In 1997, 27% of high
school aged females and 15% of males seriously thought about suicide.
Firearms (60%) and hanging (26%) were the most common methods of
suicide used by young people in the U.S.
Recent research confirms that there is a strong link between adolescent
sexual orientation and suicide. Findings from the first national study
on the issue indicate that gay or lesbian youths are more than twice as
likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
New research is examining the protective factors that can prevent teen
suicide. A strong and positive connection to parents, family and/or
school appears to provide immunity for teens when they are troubled and
may prevent suicides.
Major Risk
Factors
- Long term or serious depression.
- Previous suicide attempt.
- Mood disorders and mental illness.
- Substance abuse.
- Childhood maltreatment.
- Parental separation or divorce.
- Inappropriate access to firearms.
- Interpersonal conflicts or losses without
social support.
- Previous suicide by a relative or close
friend.
- Other significant struggles such as bullying
or issues of sexuality.
Records Needed
for Case Review
- Autopsy reports, including toxicology screens
- Scene investigation reports and photos
- Suicide notes
- Interviews with family and friends
- EMS run reports
- Emergency Department reports
- Prior CPS history on child, caregivers and
person supervising child at time of death
- Child’s mental health history if available
- School records and/or school representative at
meeting
- Names, ages and genders of other children in
home
- History of prior suicide attempts
- Substance/alcohol abuse history
- Any information on recent significant life
events, including trouble with the law
- If a firearm was used in the suicide,
information on the storage of the firearm
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