Why are Teen Suicide Rates So High?

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide.(1)

KidsHealth.org states: (2)

"The risk of suicide increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to firearms at home, and nearly 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. That's why any gun in your home should be unloaded, locked, and kept out of the reach of children and teens. Ammunition should be stored and locked apart from the gun, and the keys for both should be kept in a different area from where you store your household keys. Always keep the keys to any firearms out of the reach of children and adolescents.

Suicide rates differ between boys and girls. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights.

Factors that increase the risk of suicide among teens include: (2)

• a psychological disorder, especially depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol and drug use (in fact, approximately 95% of people who die by suicide have a psychological disorder at the time of death)
• feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation
• feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that often accompany depression (a teen, for example, who experiences repeated failures at school, who is overwhelmed by violence at home, or who is isolated from peers is likely to experience such feelings)
• a previous suicide attempt
• a family history of depression or suicide (depressive illnesses may have a genetic component, so some teens may be predisposed to suffer major depression)
• physical or sexual abuse
• lack of a support network, poor relationships with parents or peers, and feelings of social isolation
• dealing with homosexuality in an unsupportive family or community or hostile school environment"

I graduated from high school in 2004. By 2005, I knew 4 people who had committed suicide or overdosed on drugs. Disturbingly, 3 out of the 4 were in the same group of friends. By 2006, that number increased to 6. Why are teen suicide rates so high and what can we do as a society to prevent them? Society can be incredibly harsh for the socially awkward or the over-achiever. Time after time, we see the straight A student who gets an anxiety attack if they get 99/100 on a test or paper. Is the bar too high? Or are we pushing too hard for the wrong things? Talking with my high school classmates, I find more often than not they have considered or attempted suicide. This destroyer of life is stealing our youth and leaving devastation in its path. The Surgeon General defined suicide as a Public Health Problem and released this call to action (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/calltoaction.htm) that details the main causes and how to prevent suicide by coming together as a community and recognizing the early signs. We as a community can increase awareness, enhance intervention programs, and advance the science of suicide prevention.

What Can I Do?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (3)

• Volunteer at a crisis center - As a hotline volunteer, you will be trained to answer crisis calls. Many crisis centers are primarily staffed by volunteers, and they need your support. If you would like to find out more about volunteering in your area, take a look at our list of volunteer crisis centers.
• Spread the word about the Lifeline - Let people know that "With help comes hope." Simply giving our toll free, 24 hour number to someone can let them know that you care. Have a look at our Spread the Word campaign for more information and for downloadable materials. Also - check out our MySpace page!
• Join or start a support group for survivors of suicide - Survivors - someone who has lost a loved one to suicide are the heart of suicide prevention work. SPAN USA and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) work to help survivors speak out for suicide prevention funding and activities.
• Join a coalition for suicide prevention - Most states have a taskforce of people writing or implementing a state plan for suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center can connect you with a local or state group.

** To Volunteer in Utah County Ask to speak to a co-director of the Crisis Line by calling (801) 226-4433



1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5635a2.htm
2. http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html
3. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/default.aspx