Document Type
Research Brief
Publication Date
7-2009
Abstract
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States.1 Following a 15-year decline, adolescent suicide rates began to increase in 2004. The majority of this rise is due to an increase in suicides among girls between the ages of 10 and 19, with hanging/asphyxiation deaths among females became increasingly more common.2 Although female suicide rates are on the rise, males are still significantly more likely to complete suicide. In 2005, the adolescent male suicide rate was roughly 4 times higher than the female rate. When broken out further by race, white males have the highest risk of suicide and black females have the lowest.3 Adolescent suicide rates vary dramatically by geography and the highest rates are typically found in rural areas.4
In terms of thinking about suicide, or “suicidal ideation”, a 2007 study of high school students revealed that 14.3% of youth had seriously considered suicide in the 12 months leading up to the survey and 6.9% had attempted suicide in the same period.5 This evaluation brief presents an overview of suicidal ideation among youth who presented for services through the Albany County System of Care (SOC) between 1/1/2006 and 12/31/2008.
Recommended Citation
Center for Human Services Research, University at Albany, "Teens Thinking About Suicide When Entering the Albany County System of Care" (2009). Children, Family & Elder Services Reports and Research Briefs. 11.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/chsr-cfes-reports-and-briefs/11
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