suicide
Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects even young people. It is the eighth-leading cause of death overall in the U.S. and the third-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years Suicide results in approximately 4600 lives lost each year. Even though the number of actual suicides seems alarming, the number of attempts is even more astronomical. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the United States (U.S.) found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reporting trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey. Each year, approximately 157,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries at Emergency Departments across the U.S. [National Center for Injury Prevention and Control]
GENDER: Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. Of the reported suicides in the 10 to 24 age group, 81% of the deaths were males and 19% were females. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
CULTURE: Native American/Alaskan Native youth have the highest rates of suicide-related fatalities. A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the U.S. found Hispanic youth were more likely to report attempting suicide than their black and white, non-Hispanic peers. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
RISK FACTORS: Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with major changes. When compounded by other events or changes in their families such as divorce or moving to a new community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or other losses can be very upsetting and can become overwhelming Suicide may seem like a solution.
[According to the National Institute of Mental Health] scientific evidence has shown
A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the United States (U.S.) found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reporting trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey. Each year, approximately 157,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries at Emergency Departments across the U.S. [National Center for Injury Prevention and Control]
GENDER: Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. Of the reported suicides in the 10 to 24 age group, 81% of the deaths were males and 19% were females. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
CULTURE: Native American/Alaskan Native youth have the highest rates of suicide-related fatalities. A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the U.S. found Hispanic youth were more likely to report attempting suicide than their black and white, non-Hispanic peers. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
RISK FACTORS: Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with major changes. When compounded by other events or changes in their families such as divorce or moving to a new community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or other losses can be very upsetting and can become overwhelming Suicide may seem like a solution.
[According to the National Institute of Mental Health] scientific evidence has shown