Increasing Suicide Rates among U.S. Adolescents and Young Adults

Suicide rates in the U.S. have increased over the past two decades. There has been particular concern about adolescents, given reported increases in anxiety, depression, and self-harm behaviors.

In recent data from the CDC, suicide rates increased among the 15-to-24-year age group between 2000 and 2017. In 2017, there were 6241 suicides in this group (5016 in males and 1225 in females). More-detailed trends by age group, gender, and time are as follows:

For the 15-to-19-year age group:

• The 2017 suicide rate was 11.8/100,000, with an over threefold higher rate in males versus females.

• The rate increased from 2000 to 2017 overall, with no change from 2000 to 2007, an increase from 2007 to 2014, and a much steeper increase from 2014 to 2017.

• In mal…