Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States?¹ Four times as many young men as young women die from suicide, but young women attempt suicide three times more often than young men.² Suicide among young white males accounts for most suicide deaths, but the suicide rate among young black males is rising. Suicide rates for Native American youth (17.5 percent of deaths) are high compared to overall youth rates (12 percent of deaths).³

A far greater number of youths attempt suicide each year. Suicide attempts are not easy to count because many may not be treated in a hospital or may not be recorded as self-inflicted injury. Survey data from 2001 show that 19 percent of high school students had seriously thought about suicide, 14.8 percent had made plans to attempt suicide, and 8.8 percent had made a suicide attempt during the year before the survey.⁴

These are shocking statistics, but we also know that most youth who commit suicide suffer from a mental or substance use disorder or both.⁵ It is important to look for signs of substance abuse or depression and get professional help for your child if he needs it.

Besides substance abuse and mental illness, other risk factors include previous suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, easy access to lethal methods such as guns or poisons, incarceration, a stressful life event or loss, or exposure to suicidal behavior in others. Suicide can occur in clusters, sometimes as a ripple effect of the suicide of a friend or a celebrity that receives widespread media coverage.⁶
Be aware of the following "suicide signals" from your child:

• Complains of being a bad person or feeling "rotten inside."
• Gives verbal hints such as "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no use," and "I won't see you again."
• Puts her affairs in order; for example, gives away favorite toys, cleans her room, throws away important belongings, etc.
• Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.
• Shows signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts).⁷
• Shows little interest in the future.⁸
• Acts in rash, hostile ways; often expresses rage.⁹

What To Do

Ask your child if he is depressed or thinking about suicide. Rather than putting dangerous thoughts into his head, asking shows him that you care and that he is not alone.¹⁰ Don't leave him alone. If you think your child has a mental illness or a substance abuse problem, get him the help that he needs even if he resists. Most important, take seriously any suicide attempt. If your child or someone else you know is thinking about suicide, call 1-800-479-3339.

Sources¹ National Center for Health Statistics. "Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.² National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center. "Youth Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.³ National Center for Health Statistics. "National Vital Statistics Report," last referenced 12/5/2002.⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 2001," last referenced 12/10/2002.⁵ American Psychiatric Association. "Teen Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.⁶ National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center. "Youth Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.⁷ American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. "Teen Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.⁸ National Mental Health Association. "Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.⁹ American Psychiatric Association. "Teen Suicide," last referenced 12/5/2002.¹⁰ Center for Mental Health Services. "At a Glance - Suicide Among the Young," last referenced 12/5/2002.