Suicide is a leading cause of death for teens. While there is promising new data that shows a decline in suicide ideation and attempts by adolescents, the teen mental health crisis continues to be one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
It’s important for parents, healthcare providers, teachers, and teenagers themselves to understand the key elements of teen suicide prevention.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which includes World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) and Suicide Prevention Week (September 7–13). Newport is joining health and youth organizations to bring this topic out into the open, so children and teens know that they are not alone.
What You’ll Learn
- What are statistics on children and teen suicide rates?
- Which teen groups are at higher risk for suicide?
- What are risk factors for teen suicide?
- What does treatment look like for adolescents at risk of suicide?
Teenage Suicide Facts
A new survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows some promising news. Suicidal ideation has declined in teens from nearly 13 percent in 2021 to 10 percent in 2024. Additionally, the number of documented suicide attempts by young people also fell from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent. However, the survey does not break down results by demographics. This is important because research has shown that certain groups, including LGBTQ+ and young people of color are at higher risk of suicide.
Suicide in children and teens is still a major concern, despite these declines. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds in the United States and the third leading cause for adolescents ages 15–19 years. Minority groups are seeing spikes in suicide rates among youth. Data points to a 36 percent increase in Black youth suicides for ages 10 to 24. Adolescent Black girls have the highest increase in suicide attempts compared with other demographics. Suicide rates for American Indian and Alaska Native young people are significant as well, at 36 per 100,000.
2025 Statistics on Depression and Suicide in Teens
Studies examining depression and suicide among teens reveal the following troubling statistics.
- 15.4 adolescents aged 12–17 had a major depressive episode in the past year.
- An estimated 11.3 percent of adolescents in 2024 (or 2.8 million people) had a past year MDE with severe impairment.
- In 2024, 10 percent, or 2.6 million adolescents aged 12–17 had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, 4.6 percent made a suicide plan, 2.7 percent attempted suicide.
- 39 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023 (the latest data)—including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people.
- Nearly two-thirds (65%) of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed reported having at least one mental health diagnosis, most commonly anxiety disorders (47 percent) and major depressive disorder (33 percent).
- The US faces a severe shortage of practicing child and adolescent psychiatrists, with over 85 percent of doctor’s offices reporting difficulty locating mental healthcare providers for their patients under 18.
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Children’s Suicide Statistics
A major study revealed an increase in suicides in pre-teens, defined as ages 8 to12. From 2001 to 2022, 2241 pre-teens died by suicide. Around 32 percent were female and 68 percent were male.
Suicide rates increased by 8.2 percent annually for this age group from 2008 to 2022. Broken down by race,
- 7.2 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander
- 24 percent were Black
- 18 percent were Hispanic
- 68 percent were white
In addition, a study of 12,000 9- and 10-year-olds found that more than 6 percent had suicidal thoughts. Moreover, another recent study found that more than a third of children with autism ages 8 and under have had suicidal thoughts. Alarmingly, in this same age group, 36 percent reported wanting to die, 35 percent wanted to end their own life, and 18 percent said they had a suicide plan.
Alarming Rise in Black Teen Suicides
Suicides among Black youth are rising faster than any other racial/ethnic group. Suicide rates have increased 54 percent since 2019 for ages 10 to 19. This is the first time black teen suicide rates have surpassed white peers, where we’ve seen a decrease in suicides 17 percent since 2022. Additionally, from 2007 to 2020, suicides among Black youth 10 to 17 jumped an alarming 144 percent.
A report to congress highlights the urgent need to improve and address mental healthcare for Black communities:
- Suicide rates for young Black males is 2.3 times higher than young Black girls.
- 39 percent of Black high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness—a 42 percent increase from 2009.
- Suicide attempts by Black adolescent girls increased 71 percent between 2009–2021 (10 percent to 18 percent).
- 22 percent of Black teens said they had seriously considered attempting suicide, a 66 percent increase since 2009.
Suicides Among Adolescent Girls
Statistics show the devastating state of mental health among teen girls in particular. CDC research from 2023 shows that nearly 1 in 3 teen girls (30 percent) seriously contemplated attempting suicide. that’s an increase of nearly 60 percent as a compare to a decade ago. Moreover, 1 in 4 teen girls reported making suicide plans.
While teen girls are more likely than boys to report symptoms of anxiety and depression, they are also more apt to hide the emotional pain that leads to suicidal behavior. Hence, suicides by female adolescents often are unexpected. Furthermore, impulsivity is a key risk factor in suicide, and teen girls are likely to be impulsive. In addition, recent research shows that the black-and-white thinking patterns of teen girls may make them more prone to suicidal ideation and behavior.
But that doesn’t mean that teen boys are not at risk. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), pinpointed a spike in suicides among older teenage boys—up to 17.9 per 1000,000 in 2017. In addition, while males are less likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression, they are nearly four times as likely to die by suicide, because they tend to use deadlier methods.
Teenage Suicide Causes and Risk Factors
Many factors can contribute to the risk of adolescent suicide. Risk factors do not cause teen suicide, but they may contribute to a teen’s likelihood of making a suicide attempt.
The top reasons for teenage suicide include the following:
- Depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders
- Family history of suicide
- A history of substance abuse
- Exposure to violence, abuse, or other trauma
- Social isolation or bullying
- Losing a family member through death or divorce
- Financial or job loss
- Conflict within relationships
- Starting or changing psychotropic medications
- Feeling stigmatized
- Lack of support
Questions to Ask a Teen You’re Concerned About …
What do you worry about?
How do you feel about growing up?
Is bullying a problem at your school?
What do you wish was different?
What helps you cope?
What Are Suicidal Thoughts?
For every person who attempts or completes suicide, many more suffer from suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is defined as having suicidal thoughts—thoughts of ending one’s life. This is much more common than we might imagine.
However, thinking about suicide does not necessarily mean that a teen will make an actual suicide attempt. Many teens may think about suicide, but their suicidal thoughts do not progress to suicide plans or suicide attempts.
Moreover, suicidal thoughts can also become a cognitive habit, an ongoing mental pattern. Such thoughts often result from depression, or from a desire to escape a situation that seems impossible to handle.
Suicidal thoughts can quickly escalate to a suicide attempt, so teens suffering from suicidal ideation need treatment before any actual planning begins. Youth suicide prevention is most effective when signs are caught early and a suicidal teenager receives effective mental health support immediately.
Preventing Teenage Suicide: Suicide Warning Signs
During the back-to-school season, parents, teachers, coaches, and others who work or live with adolescents need to be particularly vigilant as teens adjust to new schedules and expectations. Here are some of the warning signs indicating that a teen is considering suicide.
- Talking or posting on social media about suicide or wanting to die
- Feeling hopeless or trapped
- Increasing use of drugs and/or alcohol
- Changes in weight, appearance, or sleep habits
- Gathering drugs, sharp objects, firearms, or other items that could be used to commit suicide or self-harm
- Isolating themselves and withdrawing from friends
- Searching online for methods of committing suicide
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye, and giving away prized possessions
- Trouble concentrating and/or a drop in academic performance
- Migraines, frequent stomachaches, or other physical complaints
- Risk-taking or self-destructive behavior
- Suddenly becoming calm or cheerful after a long period of depression
Children may show similar symptoms to teens, in addition to writing or drawing about their feelings.
If you see any of these signs, take the following actions for preventing teenage suicide and accessing help for a suicidal teenager:
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Remove anything that could be used in a suicide attempt, including firearms, alcohol, drugs, razors, or other sharp objects.
- Call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
Ways to Prevent Suicide in Youth
Along with risk factors, there are also factors that assist in children and teen suicide prevention. The following resources and skills are helpful in preventing teenage suicide:
- Access to treatment for mental health, physical health, and substance use disorders, including suicide assessment when warranted
- Family and community support
- Skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
- Tools for coping and emotional self-regulation
- Cultural and/or religious beliefs that discourage suicide
Suicide can be the tragic result of untreated depression. Thus, treatment for depression is a vital factor in teenage suicide prevention. With suicidal depression, different forms of individual therapy contribute toward sustainable healing. Furthermore, such treatment is also essential for suicide attempt survivors.
“We are grateful for all that TWLOHA does to raise awareness, promote prevention, and erase the stigma of suicide. Remaining idle is not an option when so many are struggling with thoughts of self-harm and hopelessness. Newport is proud to play a part in helping people access much-needed treatment so that they can see the importance of living another day.”
Joe Procopio, CEO, Newport Healthcare
Child and Teen Suicide Prevention: Treatment Approaches
For a suicidal child or teenager, treatment should include a variety of clinical and experiential modalities to address the multiple factors that leave teens vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and attempts. At Newport Academy, we use the following evidence-based modalities help prevent depression and suicide in teens. And our approach works. Our outcomes research shows that after just a few weeks of treatment, patients’ suicide risk is significantly reduced.
Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is specifically designed to address depression and the risk of teen suicide, by repairing ruptured relationships between parents and teens. As a result, young people feel safe enough to turn to their parents for support when they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) brings clarity to what a teen is thinking and feeling. CBT identifies the emotions that often result in a sense of isolation. Consequently, it identifies the self-defeating thoughts and assumptions that make life more difficult. CBT provides valuable insight for the depressed teen.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) leads to transformation and healing. This therapy helps teens make positive choices. MET helps resolve any initial resistance to treatment.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provides specific skills like mindfulness and emotional regulation. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that DBT is particularly effective in reducing suicidal attempts and self-harm among adolescents. Teens learn to recognize the sensations in their body when dangerous impulses arise, put those feelings into words, and use simple techniques to shift their nervous system.
Experiential modalities, such as art therapy and music therapy, give teens ways to process their emotions through self-expression and body-based practices.
Positive coping and relaxation skills for managing stress can help protect teens against suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
Outcomes-Driven Children and Teen Treatment at Newport Academy
We recognize the need for greater access children mental health services. Therefore, in addition to treating teens ages 12-18, we’ve expanded our program to include ages 7-11. If your child is struggling their mental health, we are here to assist 24/7 in finding you the right location and level of care. Our knowledgable admissions counselors will walk you through our extensive list of insurance network partners, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, TRICARE, Kaiser Permanente, and many more.
Contact us today to learn more about our children and teen mental health programs so your family can get started on the path to healing.
Sources
2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA, 2025
JAMA Netw Open. 2024; 7(7): e2424664.
JAMA Pediatr. 2024; 178(6): 620–622.
The Trevor Project 2024 Survey
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023.
Report to Congress, 2023
APA. Vol. 54 No. 5, 2023
JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Feb 5; 3(2): e1920956
JAMA. 2019; 321(23): 2362–2364.
