Loading...
Suicide rates among U.S. adolescents increased by 24% from 2011 to 2015, when it became the third leading cause of death in this age group. Using data from Utah for this period (where the rate had increased by 136%), investigators examined the 150 suicides among persons aged 10 to 17 years (male, 77%; ages 15–17, 75%).
Suffocation (mostly hanging/inhalations) or firearms, in almost equal numbers, accounted for >90% of the deaths. Among 142 decedents with available data, 68% had two or more precipitating circumstances, including mental health diagnosis, depressed mood near time of death, or both (59%); histories of suicidal ideation, prior attempt, or both (30%); a crisis within 2 weeks of death involving family (22%) or intimate partner (11%…