Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24. More than 13 of every 100,000 people aged 15 to 24 committed suicide in 1990. Experts estimate that each year nearly 5,000 teenagers commit suicide. White males have had the highest increase in suicide, which rose 50 percent between 1970 and 1978. The incidence for white females increased 12 percent.
Recent studies show suicide among young blacks is also a major problem.
The ratio of male to female suicides is four to one. However, young women attempt suicide four times more frequently. What You Can Do Most people who are depressed or who are thinking about suicide don't or won't talk about how they are feeling. They feel worthless. They have no hope.