The suicide rate for people age 15 to 24 has tripled since 1970. There are 100 to 200 attempts for every completed youth suicide. One out of 10 teenagers in America attempts suicide by age 24. Teen suicide attempts derive more from anger, risk taking, and drug abuse. Teens are more likely to be influenced by romantic, mystic, and idealistic factors.
Teens tend to have lower self-esteem and are more influenced by personal relationships.
In Contra Costa County, more than 700 youths attempt suicide every year and six to 12 die by suicide annually. Almost half the students in every class we address tell us that they have seriously considered, attempted, or know someone who has attempted or died by suicide. The belief that this is because more seniors are suffering from terminal illnesses than other age groups is wrong. Research shows that seniors have the highest suicide rate because they are more likely to be socially isolated, lonely, and depressed than people of other ages and these are the risk factors most directly related to suicide. Seniors have experienced more deaths among family members and friends, are retired and no longer feel useful or have daily interaction with co-workers, and may face financial hardships.