Emergency Department Visits for Drug-related Suicide Attempts by Adolescents: 2008

Suicide is a major public health
problem and a tragedy for all
involved—family, friends, neighbors,
colleagues, and communities. With about
1,000 completed suicides per year among persons aged 12 to 17, suicide ranks as the
third leading cause of death among youths
in this age range.1 Behind the statistics on
completed suicides are still more troubling
numbers on suicide ideation and attempts.
The 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
System (YRBSS) indicated that 14.5 percent
of all high school students (grades 9 through
12) seriously considered attempting suicide
in the past year, 11.3 percent made a suicide
plan, 6.9 percent attempted suicide, and 2.0
percent had their suicide attempt treated by
a doctor or nurse.