Attempted suicide among high school students - United States, 1990

Article Abstract:

Between 1950 and 1988 suicide rates among adolescents quadrupled, reaching 11.3 per 100,000. Attempted suicide is a risk factor for eventual completed suicide, and an indicator of other serious problems, such as drug abuse, depression, or stress reaction. The national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of the Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which measures risky behavior among youth. Over one fourth of the high school students reported having serious thoughts about attempting suicide during the year prior to the survey, but only about 16 percent said that they had a specific plan for doing so. Half of those who had a specific plan reported that they actually went through with a suicide attempt. Two percent of students who attempted suicide actually injured themselves and required medical attention. Female students were more likely to have considered, planned, and actually attempted suicide. Hispanic and white students thought about and attempted suicide more often than did black students. Almost 15 percent of Hispanic girls had attempted suicide during the previous 12 months, while only 10 percent of white girls, and 8 percent of black girls had done so. The study indicates that most suicide attempts among adolescents and young adults do not cause injury and do not require medical attention, and only half of those who seek medical attention are admitted to a hospital for one or more nights. Still, an estimated 276,000 high school students made at least one suicide attempt requiring medical attention during the year of the study. A national health objective is to reduce this number by 15 percent. Although several strategies have been suggested, none has been widely implemented. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Demographic aspects, United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Substance abuse and adolescent suicidal behavior

Article Abstract:

In the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of psychoactive substances by adolescents. Drug use on a daily basis among high school seniors is twice as common in males as in females, and the suicide rate for white teenagers has also increased much more for boys than girls. In the 30 years from 1950 to 1980, the rate of suicide among white males aged 15 to 19 years increased 305 percent, while the increase for white females was comparatively small, 67 percent. Depression, particularly among teenagers and young adults, has also become more common in recent decades. Research studies on adolescent suicidal behavior are increasingly implicating psychoactive substance abuse as a risk factor. While drug use and suicidal behavior, including thoughts about suicide, attempts, and actual suicide, have been linked, it is not clear whether the relationship is one of cause and effect. Abuse of psychoactive substances appears to be associated with a greater frequency and number of suicide attempts, more suicidal thoughts and more serious intention, and a greater chance of more lethal attempts. Studies have found a specific link between alcohol intoxication and suicide by gun shot among teenagers. Adolescents who use drugs, especially those who suffer from depression, appear to be at increased risk for suicidal behavior; psychiatric treatment may be necessary for these individuals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Risk factors, Depression in adolescence, Adolescent depression, Alcohol and youth, Juvenile drinking, Drugs and youth, Juvenile drug abuse

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Adolescent Suicide: Perspectives on a Clinical Quandary. (Commentary)

Article Abstract:

Primary care physicians and pediatricians should be alert for any signs of suicidal behavior in teenagers. Depression, substance abuse and a family history of depression or suicidal behavior are all risk factors for suicidal behavior in teenagers.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Safety-belt and helmet use among high school students - United States: 1990. Suicide in Teenagers: Assessment, Management, and Prevention. (Grand Rounds)

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