What is youth suicide?

Suicide is when a person causes their own death on purpose. Before trying to take their own life, a young person may have thoughts of wanting to die. This is called suicidal ideation. The young person may also have suicidal behavior. That’s when a person is focused on doing things that cause their own death.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people. For youth ages 10 to 14, suicide is the second leading cause of death. The CDC reports that:

• Youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 years are at risk.
• Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls.
• Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys.
• Guns are used in more than half of all youth suicides.

What causes a young person to attempt suicide?

The teen years are a stressful time. They are filled with major changes. These include body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and doubt may affect a teen’s problem-solving and decision-making. They may also feel pressure to succeed. Even preteen children can be affected.

For some preteens and teens, normal developmental changes can be very unsettling when combined with other events, such as:

• Changes in their families, such as divorce, siblings moving out, or moving to a new town
• Changes in friendships
• Stress from social media activities, including being a victim of cyberbullying
• Problems in school
• Other losses

These problems may seem too hard or embarrassing to overcome. For some, suicide may seem like a solution.

Which youth are at risk for suicide?

A young person’s risk for suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Risk factors may change over time. They are:

• One or more mental or substance abuse problems
• Impulsive behaviors
• Stressful life events such as being bullied or recent losses, such as the death of a parent
• Family history of mental or substance abuse problems
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence, including physical, sexual, or verbal or emotional abuse
• Past suicide attempt
• Easy access to guns or prescription medicines in the home
• Imprisonment
• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as from family or peers, in the news, or in fiction stories

What are the warning signs of youth suicide?

Many of the warning signs of suicide are also symptoms of depression. They are:

• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Withdrawal from friends and family members
• Acting-out behaviors and running away
• Alcohol or drug use
• Neglecting their personal appearance
• Unnecessary risk-taking
• Obsession with death and dying
• More physical complaints often linked to emotional distress, such as stomachaches, headaches, and extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Loss of interest in school or schoolwork
• Feeling they want to die, lack of response to praise

Another warning sign is making plans or efforts toward committing suicide:

• Says “I want to kill myself,” or “I'm going to commit suicide.”
• Gives verbal hints, such as “I won't be a problem much longer,” or “If anything happens to me, I want you to know … ”
• Gives away favorite things or throws away important belongings
• Becomes suddenly cheerful after being depressed
• May express strange thoughts
• Writes one or more suicide notes

These warning signs may seem like other health problems. Set up an appointment with your child's healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Help your child understand that asking for help is not showing weakness. It is the most brave thing a person can do.

• Show interest. Find out what's happening in their life. Ask about social media activity, what they enjoy and dislike, and what's important to them.
• Stay connected. Take the time to enjoy each other in a nonstressful environment. A walk with you, even if much of it is in silence, can be comforting to your child.
• Become informed about youth suicide. Resources include the public library, local support groups, and the Internet.
• Know the warning signs for depression:
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness
• Declining school performance
• Loss of interest in social and sports activities
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Nervousness, agitation, or grouchiness

Young people can take these steps to help prevent suicide if they see warning signs in a friend:

• Take their friend’s behavior and talk of suicide seriously.
• Encourage their friend to seek expert help. Go with the friend, if needed.
• Don't leave your friend alone, not even for a moment, until a responsible adult is with them.
• Talk right away with an adult they trust about their friend.

Call or text 988 if their friend has suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan, and the immediate means to carry out the plan. The Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide free and private support for people in crisis.