Teen Suicide Facts

In the United States

  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
  • 5,000 young people complete suicide in the U.S. each year.
  • Each year, there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth.
  • Each day, there are approximately 12 youth suicides.
  • Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.
  • In the past 60 years, the suicide rate has quadrupled for males 15 to 24 years old, and has doubled for females of the same age.
  • For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made.
  • Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method among youth, accounting for 49% of all completed suicides.

In Texas

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24.
  • 491 deaths by suicide in 2014 for ages 10-24 in Texas according to the Texas Dept. of State Health Services (TDSHS).
  • 107 deaths by suicide in 2014 for ages 10-24 in 11 counties of North Texas.
  • 732 Total Deaths by suicide in 2014 for all ages in 11 counties of North Texas.
  • For every completed suicide, the American Association of Suicidology’s new research now estimates 18 experience a major life disruption (Cerel, 2015). These “Loss Survivors” are identified as the close friends and family members that are grieving the death. Based upon this new research, and with approximately 18 loss survivors for each of the 732 deaths by suicide in 11 Counties of North Texas in 2014, then there were 13,176 loss survivors of suicide in these 11 Counties.