Epidemiology		Suicidality remains an important health issue. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds. For every completion, there are an estimated 200 attempts. Suicide accounts for 12% of overall adolescent mortality. From the 1950s to the mid-1990s, the suicide rate tripled among this age group. In 1999, more adolescents died of suicide than from all medical causes combined. The completed suicide rate for 15-24-year-olds in early 2000 is 11.1/100,000, according to Dr. Strasberger, etal. The rate for 5-14-year-olds is 0.8/100,000. Lifetime prevalence rates for adolescent suicide attempts are 2-8% of all teens. Those at highest risk are Native American males, particularly those in the Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes. White males tend to complete suicides more often than African American males. At lowest risk are African American females. Suicide attempts under the age of 14 are essentially even between males and females. After age 14, females attempt suicide more often than males (4:1), but males are more successful at completing suicide than females (6:1). This is primarily due to the different modalities used. Males tend to use guns and hanging, whereas females characteristically opt for ingestion of medications and/or wrist-slashing. Return to top of page