Facts about suicide in adolescents and young adults
According to the National Alliance of Mental Health, each year in the U.S., approximately 2 million adolescents attempt suicide. In people under the age of 25:
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death
- Adolescent females are more likely to attempt suicide
- Males are much more likely to complete suicide than females
- Firearms and suffocation were the two most common methods of suicide
Risk factors
Identified factors that may increase the risks for suicide and attempted suicide in young people include:
- Prior suicide attempt
- Mental or substance abuse disorders
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns
- Family history of suicide
- Exposure to suicide of a family member, friend or another significant person
- History of abuse
- Impaired parent-child relationships
- Life stressors, especially interpersonal losses and legal or disciplinary problems
- Lack of involvement in school and/or work
What to watch for
- Talking about suicide
- Looking for ways to harm oneself
- Preoccupation with death or dying
- Hopelessness
- Reckless and risky behavior
- Feeling trapped
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Dramatic mood changes
- Feeling a lack of purpose in life
When to act
If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, act immediately.
- Take them seriously
- Listen
- Don’t leave them alone
- Help them get to a professional for an evaluation and treatment
If necessary, take emergency steps to get help, such as calling 911. When someone is in a suicidal crisis, it is important to limit access to firearms or other potential tools for committing suicide, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
