Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15-19 and 15-29). Many teenagers may display suicidal signals such as depression, aggressive behavior, family instability, and thoughts of death and dying.

• According to a fact sheet written by the American Association of Suicidology, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15-19 and 15-29); only accidents and homicides occur more frequently. Suicide rates for those 15-19 years old increased 11% between 1980 and 1997. Suicide rates for those between the ages of 10-14, however, increased 99% between 1980 and 1997. Both age groups have shown small declines in rates in the past two years. Research has shown that the access to and the availability of firearms is a significant factor in the increase of youth suicide. Most suicides occur at home in the afternoon or early evening and nearly 1 in 5 high school students have stated in surveys that they have considered suicide during the past year. Some of the potential factors of risk for suicide among youth are: the presence of a psychiatric disorder, the expression/communication of thoughts of suicide or death and dying, impulsive and aggressive behavior (i.e. frequent expressions of rage), previous exposure to other’s suicide, recent severe stressors, and family loss/significant family conflict.¹

¹About Suicide: Youth Suicide Fact Sheet, American Association of Suicidology, 2003, pp. 1-2.

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