Teen Suicide Awareness: Statistics

Learn more about the impact of suicide on today's youth with these statistics, provided by the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.
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Teen Suicide Awareness: Statistics

How real is the problem of youth suicide? Here are the numbers:

  • EVERY YEAR there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth.
  • EVERY DAY there are approximately 11 youth suicides.
  • EVERY 2 HOURS AND 11 MINUTES a person under the age of 25 completes suicide

How pervasive is the problem of youth suicide? Here's a brief review of what national data tell us:

  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens.
  • Suicide is second leading cause of death in colleges.
  • For every suicide completion, there are between 50 and 200 attempts.
  • CDC Youth Risk Survey: 8.5% of students in grades 9-12 reported a suicide attempt in the past year.
  • 25% of high-school students report suicide ideation.
  • The suicide attempt rate is increasing for youths ages 10-14.
  • Suicide had the same risk and protective factors as other problem behaviors, such as drugs, violence, and risky sexual activities.
  • While a single suicide is a tragedy, it is estimated that for every adolescent who completes suicide, there are between 50 and 200 suicide attempts.
  • A recent survey of high-school students found that almost 1 in 5 had seriously considered suicide; more than 1 in 6 had made plans to attempt suicide; and more than 1 in 12 had made a suicide attempt in the past year.

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The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Inc.

Provided in partnership with The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. The mission of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is to reduce the number of youth suicides and attempted suicides by encouraging public awareness through the development and promotion of educational training programs.
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TeacherVision Staff

TeacherVision Editorial Staff

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