Teens and Suicide:

Quick Facts

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

• According to the CDC, suicide is ranked number two in leading causes of death in the 10-14 (425) and 15-24 (5,079) age groups (2014)-Produced by the- suicide is second leading cause of death of adolescents 15-19

  *age 15 appears to be when suicide rates increase drastically-after age 15

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report-August 8, 2017-CDC

• In 2015, there were 1,537 suicides among males and 524 among females aged 15–19 years. Sally C. Curtin, MA, sac2@cdc.gov, 301-458-4142; Holly Hedegaard, MD; Arialdi Minino, MPH; Margaret Warner, PhD; Thomas Simon, PhD  

• Rates for females remain lower than males (same age group); however the rate for females has doubled from 2007-2015

            (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report-August 8, 2017-CDC)

YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey)-CDC: for the years 1991-2013

“The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. The national YRBS is conducted every two years during the spring semester and provides data representative of 9th through 12th grade students in public and private schools throughout the United States.”

• Seriously Considered Suicide (during the 12 months before survey)

              2009-13.8%

              2011-15.8%

              2013-17.0%

  Made a plan (during 12 mos. prior to survey)

              2009-10.9%

              2011-12.8%

              2013-13.6%

  Attempted Suicide (during 12 months prior to survey)

              2009-6.3%

              2011-7.8%

              2013-8.0%

  - Attempted suicide that resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse (during 12 months prior to survey

              2009-1.9%

              2011-2.4%

              2013-2.7%

  - Under the category of long term change, these stats have shown consistent increase in suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, attempt, and incomplete attempts) from 2009-2013 among students high school students).

  https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2014_1050w760h.gif

  https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/trends/us_suicide_trend_yrbs.pdf