Teen Suicide
Statistics 
Menstuff® has compiled the following information on teen
suicide statistics. Every hour and forty-five minutes, another young
person commits suicide. Teen/youth suicide rates have tripled since
1970.
Teen Suicide Statistics
Suicide Gender Comparisons
(Men:Women)
Teen Suicide Warning Signs
Prevention Organizations
Teen Suicide Statistics
The suicide statistics contained in this article are gathered from
studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Suicide Deaths, U.S., 2001
- Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United
States.
- It was the 8th leading cause of death for males, and 19th
leading cause of death for females.
- The total number of suicide deaths was 30,622.
- The 2001 age-adjusted rate** was 10.7/100,000 or 0.01%.
- 1.3% of total deaths were from suicide. By contrast, 29% were
from diseases of the heart, 23% were from malignant neoplasms
(cancer), and 6.8% were from cerebrovascular disease (stroke) -
the three leading causes.
- Suicides outnumbered homicides (20,308) by 3 to 2.
- There were twice as many deaths due to suicide than deaths due
to HIV/AIDS (14,175).
- Suicide by firearms was the most common method for both men
and women, accounting for 55% of all suicides.
- More men than women die by suicide. The gender ratio is
4:1.
- 73% of all suicide deaths are white males.
80% of all firearm suicide deaths are white males.
- Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race)
are suicide deaths for white men over 85, who had a rate of
54/100,000.
- Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young
adults and adolescents 15 to 24 years of age, following
unintentional injuries and homicide. The rate was 9.9/100,000 or
.01%.
- The adolescent suicide rate among youth ages 10-14 was
1.3/100,000 or 272 deaths among 20,910,440 children in this age
group. The gender ratio for this age group was 3:1 (males:
females).
- The adolescent suicide rate among youth aged 15-19 was
7.9/100,000 or 1,611 deaths among 20,271,312 adolescents in this
age group. The gender ratio for this age group was 5:1 (males:
females).
- Among young people 20 to 24 years of age, the suicide rate was
12/100,000 or 2,360 deaths among 19,711,423 people in this age
group. The gender ratio for this age group was 7:1 (males:
females).
Source: www.teensuicide.us/articles1.html
Suicide Gender Comparisons (Men:Women)
Girls attempt suicide more than boys 3:1
Men succeed in suicide more than women 4:1
Boys succeed in suicide more than girls
Age 10-14 - 3:1
Age 15-19 - 5:1
Age 20-24 - 7:1
Teen Suicide Warning Signs
Studies show that 4 out of 5 teen suicide attempts have been preceded
by clear warning signs. Make sure you know them.
Pay attention to these suicide warning signs:
- Suicide threats, direct and indirect
- A teen's obsession with death
- Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
- Dramatic change in personality or appearance
- Irrational, bizarre behavior
- Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reflection
- Changed eating or sleeping patterns
- Severe drop in school performance
- Giving away belongings
If you know someone who exhibits some of these warning signs -
please contact a local therapist or hotline immediately. If this is
an emergency - contact 911.
Source: www.teensuicide.us/articles2.html
Prevention
Organizations
and of course :
- The Hotline for Suicide Crisis:
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
* * *
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