Nevertheless, this article provides recognizable portraits of many of the school killers who have made headlines over the past two years. Among a Representative Sample of Youth Robert Garofalo, M.D., R. Cameron Wolf, et al. May 1999, pgs. There has been a lot of public concern about gay teens being the victims of violence and hate crimes, but a new report indicates that suicide may be the greater danger. In addition to sexual orientation, there are other traits that independently put teens at risk for suicide attempts, such as drug use, higher levels of violence or being victims of violence, and Hispanic ethnicity.
Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than are boys.
Suicide attempts are also very high among Native Americans and Alaska Native youth. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among these groups. This study included junior high school students, whereas the above study on sexual orientation only included grades 9-12. Suicide attempts were especially likely among youths who had a friend who had attempted or committed suicide, but there were other characteristics that were also independently associated with suicide. These included having a family member who had attempted or committed suicide, having a history of physical or sexual abuse, having frequent headaches or stomach problems, having health concerns, frequent alcohol or marijuana use, and having ever having used any other illegal or harmful drug.