Suicide Prevention – Facts and Figures
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds.
- Between 1999 and 2007, a total of 38,988 young people aged 10-24 died by suicide, translating to nearly 4,400 deaths in this age group every year.
- Approximately 149,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries at U.S. Emergency Departments each year.
There are an estimated 100–200 suicide attempts for each completed suicide among young people.
Data from the 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior
Survey revealed that in the previous year:
- 14% of responding US high school students had serious thoughts of killing themselves
- 11% made a suicide plan
- 6% attempted suicide
- 2% made a suicide attempt that required medical attention
It is estimated that 13.2 million people were directly affected by a suicide within the previous year.
- Age: Older adolescents (≥16 years) are more at risk for suicide than younger adolescents. This increased risk is attributed to greater prevalence of psychopathology, especially depression and substance abuse.
- Gender: More than four times as many male youth (ages 15-19) die by suicide, however girls attempt suicide two to three times more often than boys.
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Among U.S. children and adolescents aged 10 to 19, approximately 11% are estimated to suffer from a serious mental disorder that causes significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school and with peers; in Illinois, this translates to an estimated 199,288 young people suffering from serious mental illness with significant functional impairment.
–Report of the US Surgeon General, 1999 & US Census Estimates, 2008
- Among adolescents 12 to 17 years old in Illinois:
- 7% suffered an episode of major depression
- 4% experienced illicit drug dependence or abuse
- 5% experienced alcohol dependence or abuse
–National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008-2009
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 11 to 21 year-olds. Between 1999 and 2007, 870 of these young people died by suicide.
–CDC, WISQARS Database
- High school students reported in 2009 that within the last 12-month period:
- 28% felt sad and hopeless enough over a two-week period to halt usual activity
- 15% thought seriously about suicide
- 11% made a plan for suicide
- 9% attempted suicide
- 3% made a suicide attempt that required medical attention
–Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 2009
To learn the Myths & Facts about depression and suicide, click here
