•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

 

behavior 

 

• 

•

•

•

•

•

•

• 

SUICIDE A major, preventable 

mental health problem

Facts about suicide and suicide prevention among teens and young adults.

Natio al stitute of Me tal Healt 

Some common questions and answers 

about suicide:

Q: How common is suicide in children 

and teens?

A: In 2009, suicide was the third leading cause of death 

for young people ages 15–24. In this age group, suicide 

accounted for 14.4 percent of all deaths in 2009. 

While  these numbers may make suicide seem common, it 

is important to realize that suicide and suicidal 

are not healthy or typical responses to stress.

Q: What are some of the risk factors 

for suicide?

A: Risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group. They may 

occur in combination or change over time. Some important 

risk factors are:

Depression and other mental disorders

Substance abuse disorder (often in combination with 

other mental disorders)

Prior suicide attempt

Family history of suicide

Family violence including physical or sexual abuse

Firearms in the home

Incarceration

Exposure to suicidal behavior of others, such as family 

members or peers.

However, it is important to note that many people who have 

these risk factors are not suicidal.

Q: What are signs to look for?

A: The following are some of the signs you might notice in 

yourself or a friend that may be reason for concern.

Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself 

Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online 

or buying a gun 

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to 

live 

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain 

Talking about being a burden to others 

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs 

Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly 

Sleeping too little or too much 

Withdrawing or feeling isolated 

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge 

Displaying extreme mood swings.

Seeking help is a sign of strength; if you are concerned, go 

with your instincts and get help!
•

•

•

•

•

Q: What can I do for myself or 

someone else?

A: If you are concerned, immediate action is very important. 

Suicide can be prevented and most people who feel suicidal 

demonstrate warning signs. Recognizing some of these 

warning signs is the first step in helping yourself or someone 

you care about.

If you are in crisis and need help: call this toll-free number, 

available 24 hours a day, every day 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

You will reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 

service available to anyone. You may call for yourself or 

for someone you care about and all calls are confidential. 

You can also visit the Lifeline’s website at http://www.

suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

For more information on suicide

Visit the National Library of Medicine’s 

MedlinePlus http://medlineplus.gov

En Español http://medlineplus.gov/spanish

For information on clinical trials, go to the National Library of 

Medicine’s clinical trials database at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Information from NIMH is available in multiple formats. You 

can browse online, download documents in PDF, and order 

materials through the mail. Check the NIMH website at 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov for the latest information on 

this topic and to order publications. If you do not have Internet 

access, please contact the NIMH Information Resource Center 

at the numbers listed below.

National Institute of Mental Health 

Office of Science Policy, Planning and Communications 

Science Writing, Press and Dissemination Branch 

6001 Executive Boulevard 

Room 6200, MSC 9663 

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 

Phone: 301-443-4513 or 

1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free 

TTY: 301-443-8431 or 

1-866-415-8051 toll-free

FAX: 301-443-4279 

E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov 

Website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Reprints

This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced or 

copied without permission from NIMH. We encourage you to reproduce it and use it in your efforts to improve public health. Citation 

of the National Institute of Mental Health as a source is appreciated. 

However, using government materials inappropriately can raise 

legal or ethical concerns, so we ask you to use these guidelines:

NIMH does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services, and our publications may not be 

used for advertising or endorsement purposes.

NIMH does not provide specific medical advice or treatment 

recommendations or referrals; our materials may not be used in 

a manner that has the appearance of such information.

NIMH requests that non-Federal organizations not alter our 

publications in ways that will jeopardize the integrity and 

“brand” when using the publication.

Addition of non-Federal Government logos and website links 

may not have the appearance of NIMH endorsement of any 

specific commercial products or services or medical treatments or services.

Images used in publications are of models and are used for 

illustrative purposes only. Use of some images is restricted.

If you have questions regarding these guidelines and use of NIMH 

publications, please contact the NIMH Information Resource Center 

at 1-866-615-6464 or e-mail at nimhinfo@nih.gov.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Mental Health

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®