Real and Shocking Teen Suicide Facts – Youth Suicide Statistics

Teen Suicide has been a nightmare situation in the US. Currently there is thousands of teen’s suicide each year in the United States. Shockingly, it is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds in the US.

Almost 1 teen among 5 thinks of suicide as an option annually. According to the earlier statistics, there are about 1 million teens who attempted suicide out of which 300000 needed/received medical attentions whereas 1700 died. Currently, the most effective suicide prevention programs equip mental health professionals and other community educators and leaders with sufficient resources to recognize who is at risk and who has access to mental health care.

Some Shocking facts about Suicide in Teens

1. Nearly 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year.
2. Spring time is the time when there is maximum number of suicides.
3. On an average, there is a suicide committed every 16.2 minutes.
4. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.
5. Almost all the kids or teens who have tried to commit suicide have given clear warning signs.
6. The risk of suicide increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to guns or firearms at home.
7. 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun.

Checking on the method of Suicide

The first way of suicide in teens is by the guns or firearms at home. Next method is overdose using over-the-counter, prescription, and non-prescription medicine. Suicide rates and attempt rates differ between boys and girls a lot. While more girls attempt suicide, boys tend to die twice as much as girls due to suicide. The reason is girls think about suicide, but use drug overdose or cutting the wrist as the method, whereas boys think less but take a lethal method like guns, hanging, etc.

Suicide cases in 90% of teens who kill themselves have some type of mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or a behavior problem. Some of the teens will be victim of physical or sexual abuse causing them to take extreme step.

Possible warning signs

1. Talking About Dying — any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, etc.
2. Recent Loss — divorce, separation, broken relationship, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss of interest in friends, hobbies, etc.
3. Change in Personality – becoming more sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, etc.
4. Change in Behavior – sudden poor performance on school, work, routine, etc.
5. Change in Sleep Patterns
6. Change in Eating Habits — loss of appetite and weight,
7. Fear of losing control – acting erratically, harming self or others
8. Low self esteem — feeling worthless and shameful