STATISTICS ON YOUTH SUICIDE

(information refers to the latest available data - 2005)

Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15-19 and 19-24); only accidents and homicides occur more frequently.
Approximately 12 young people between the ages of 15-24 die every day by suicide.
Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.
Among 15-24 year olds, suicide accounts for 12.3% of all deaths annually (CDC, 2008).
In 2005, 32,637 people completed suicide. Of these, 4,212 were completed by people between the ages of 15 and 24.
For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made.
In 2007, 14.5% of students (grades 9-12) had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months — 18.7% of female students and 10.3% of male students (CDC, 2008).
In 2005, 270 children (ages 10-14) in the US completed suicide.
4 times as many men kill themselves as compared to women, yet 3-4 times as many women attempt suicide as compared to men.
In the past 60 years, suicide rates have quadrupled for males 15-24 years old, and has doubled for females of the same age.

Information taken from the “Youth Suicide Fact Sheet” at www.suicidology.org

WHY WOULD SOMEONE ATTEMPT SUICIDE?

Usually, people who attempt suicide are in a great deal of emotional pain and believe that the only way to get rid of the pain is to end their life. They may never expect to feel better since they believe no one can understand what they’re going through and no one can help.

RISK FACTORS

Some risk factors associated with suicide include:

prior attempt(s)
depression
anxiety
substance abuse
anger/aggression
low self esteem
social isolation

WARNING SIGNS

Feelings

Hopelessness
Depression
Fear
Loneliness
Worthlessness
Guilt
Shame
Anxiety
Helplessness

Thoughts

No one cares about me
I am all alone
No one understands me
No one would miss me if I were gone
I can’t take it anymore
My life will always be like this
Nothing/no one can help me
I’m fat/stupid/ugly/weak/etc.
I’m a failure

Behaviors

Increase or decrease in sleep
Increase or decrease in eating
Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
Isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
Loss of interest in activities
Preoccupation with death (in reading, writing, etc.)
Writing a will
Giving away possessions
Poor concentration
Initiating fights
Reckless behavior(ex. driving without a seat belt, speeding, etc.)
Self-injury(ex. cutting, burning, pulling out hair, etc.)

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUICIDAL?

1. Talk/listen

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE

Empathize - show appreciation and understanding for their point of view
“It must be really hard to deal with your parent’s divorce.”
Echo - repeat their thoughts and feelings back to them
“Sounds like your parents’ divorce has really made you sad.”
Clarify - ask for more information or make sure your interpretation is correct
“How are you dealing with these feelings?” “Sounds like you feel some guilt. Do you feel like you’re part of the reason for their separation?”
Confront - address the issue so it “okays” the person to talk about his/her feelings without guilt or shame, “You sound really depressed. Have you thought about suicide?”
Validate - acknowledge and normalize feelings
“Sounds like you’ve had a lot to deal with.”, “I’m sure most people are confused and sad when their parents get divorced.”

INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE

Giving advice
“You should try to remember all the positive things in your life.”
Being judgmental “There’s a better way to deal with what’s going on.”
Diminishing feelings
“Breaking up with your girlfriend isn’t the end of the world.”
Offering “easy solutions” “Things will get better.”, “Everything will work out.”

**Though it is often our natural instinct to try and cheer people up, overly “happy” and “hopeful” comments can actually be more difficult for a suicidal person to hear. The person may feel further guilt, shame, and isolation

2. Get help

Talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor or call a crisis line.


Home Q&A Chat Hotline Blog Articles Referrals Statistics Contact Us
	STATISTICS ON YOUTH SUICIDE (information refers to the latest available data - 2005) Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for young people (ages 15-19 and 19-24); only accidents and homicides occur more frequently. Approximately 12 young people between the ages of 15-24 die every day by suicide. Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide. Among 15-24 year olds, suicide accounts for 12.3% of all deaths annually (CDC, 2008). In 2005, 32,637 people completed suicide. Of these, 4,212 were completed by people between the ages of 15 and 24. For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made. In 2007, 14.5% of students (grades 9-12) had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months — 18.7% of female students and 10.3% of male students (CDC, 2008). In 2005, 270 children (ages 10-14) in the US completed suicide. 4 times as many men kill themselves as compared to women, yet 3-4 times as many women attempt suicide as compared to men. In the past 60 years, suicide rates have quadrupled for males 15-24 years old, and has doubled for females of the same age. Information taken from the “Youth Suicide Fact Sheet” at www.suicidology.org WHY WOULD SOMEONE ATTEMPT SUICIDE? Usually, people who attempt suicide are in a great deal of emotional pain and believe that the only way to get rid of the pain is to end their life. They may never expect to feel better since they believe no one can understand what they’re going through and no one can help. RISK FACTORS Some risk factors associated with suicide include: prior attempt(s) depression anxiety substance abuse anger/aggression low self esteem social isolation WARNING SIGNS Feelings Hopelessness Depression Fear Loneliness Worthlessness Guilt Shame Anxiety Helplessness Thoughts No one cares about me I am all alone No one understands me No one would miss me if I were gone I can’t take it anymore My life will always be like this Nothing/no one can help me I’m fat/stupid/ugly/weak/etc. I’m a failure Behaviors Increase or decrease in sleep Increase or decrease in eating Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol Isolation and withdrawal from friends and family Loss of interest in activities Preoccupation with death (in reading, writing, etc.) Writing a will Giving away possessions Poor concentration Initiating fights Reckless behavior(ex. driving without a seat belt, speeding, etc.) Self-injury(ex. cutting, burning, pulling out hair, etc.) WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUICIDAL? 1. Talk/listen EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE Empathize - show appreciation and understanding for their point of view “It must be really hard to deal with your parent’s divorce.” Echo - repeat their thoughts and feelings back to them “Sounds like your parents’ divorce has really made you sad.” Clarify - ask for more information or make sure your interpretation is correct “How are you dealing with these feelings?” “Sounds like you feel some guilt. Do you feel like you’re part of the reason for their separation?” Confront - address the issue so it “okays” the person to talk about his/her feelings without guilt or shame, “You sound really depressed. Have you thought about suicide?” Validate - acknowledge and normalize feelings “Sounds like you’ve had a lot to deal with.”, “I’m sure most people are confused and sad when their parents get divorced.” INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE Giving advice “You should try to remember all the positive things in your life.” Being judgmental “There’s a better way to deal with what’s going on.” Diminishing feelings “Breaking up with your girlfriend isn’t the end of the world.” Offering “easy solutions” “Things will get better.”, “Everything will work out.” **Though it is often our natural instinct to try and cheer people up, overly “happy” and “hopeful” comments can actually be more difficult for a suicidal person to hear. The person may feel further guilt, shame, and isolation 2. Get help Talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor or call a crisis line.

STATISTICS ON YOUTH SUICIDE (information refers to the latest available data - 2005)