SUICIDE

More than 30,000 Americans commit suicide each year, and 5,000 of these Americans are teenagers. Though one of every eight teenagers suffers with depression, the diagnosis is often missed, and depressive symptoms are mistaken for the typical ups and downs of teenage life.

Groups at Risk

Males

  • Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men (Anderson and Smith 2003).

  • Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females (CDC 2004).

  • Suicide rates are highest among Whites and second highest among American Indian and Native Alaskan men (CDC 2004).

  • Of the 24,672 suicide deaths reported among men in 2001, 60% involved the use of a firearm (Anderson and Smith 2003).

Females

  • Women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men (Krug et al. 2002).

Teens

Adolescents and young adults often experience stress, confusion, and depression from situations occurring in their families, schools, and communities. Such feelings can overwhelm young people and lead them to consider suicide as a "solution."

  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. In 2001, 3,971 suicides were reported in this group (Anderson and Smith 2003).

  • Of the total number of suicides among ages 15 to 24 in 2001, 86% (n=3,409) were male and 14% (n=562) were female (Anderson and Smith 2003).

  • American Indian and Alaskan Natives have the highest rate of suicide in the 15 to 24 age group (CDC 2004).

  • In 2001, firearms were used in 54% of youth suicides (Anderson and Smith 2003).

Risk Factors For Suicide

The first step in preventing suicide is to identify and understand the risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood that persons will harm themselves. However, risk factors are not necessarily causes. Research has identified the following risk factors for suicide (DHHS 1999):

  • Previous suicide attempt(s)

  • History of mental disorders, particularly depression

  • History of alcohol and substance abuse

  • Family history of suicide

  • Family history of child maltreatment

  • Feelings of hopelessness

  • Impulsive or aggressive tendencies

  • Barriers to accessing mental health treatment

  • Loss relationship, social, or financial)

  • Physical illness

  • Easy access to lethal methods

  • Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts

  • Cultural and religious beliefs-for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

  • Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people