Youth Suicide Statistics

Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people ages 15 to 24 (behind accidental deaths and homicides).
12 teenagers kill themselves everyday in America–one death every 2 hours.
It is estimated that there could be as many as 100 to 200 suicide attempts by young people for every one completion.
In the average high school classroom, there are three students (one guy, two girls) who have attempted suicide in the past year.
70% of students know someone who has attempted suicide.
Guys die by suicide 4 times more often than girls.
Girls attempt suicide 3 times more often than guys.
85% of young people who attempt suicide use a substance before the attempt.
27% of students say they have immediate access to a method of suicide.
In a recent survey of youth:
- 16.9% of youth have seriously thought about suicide in the last 12 months.
- 13.0% of youth have planned their suicide in the last 12 months.
- 8.4% of youth have attempted suicide in the last 12 months.

Suicide sees no boundaries. Students can attempt suicide even if they appear to be "happy", come from a good family, or have a lot of friends.

American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org)
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBSS)
Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)