Teen Suicide: Myths and Facts

Myths . . .

• Suicide takes the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans every year.

• Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.

• There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS

• Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.

• Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.

• In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.

• Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.

• Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.

• For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

• 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

• 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.

• There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion

• The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.

• 1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year.

• Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.

• The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.

• In 2011, 39,518 people died by suicide. (CDC)

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 16th). (CDC)

• It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)

• An average of one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes. (CDC, AAS)

• There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)

• Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.

• Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

• Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.

• Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.

• In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)

• There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)

According to the Violent Death Reporting System, 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).

Facts . . .

• Suicide takes the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans every year.

• Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.

• There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS

• Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.

• Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.

• In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.

• Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.

• Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.

• For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

• 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

• 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.

• There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion

• The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.

• 1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year.

• Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.

• The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.

• In 2011, 39,518 people died by suicide. (CDC)

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 16th). (CDC)

• It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)

• An average of one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes. (CDC, AAS)

• There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)

• Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.

• Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

• Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.

• Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.

• In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)

• There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)

According to the Violent Death Reporting System, 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).