DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
WHAT WE KNOW
Many factors can trigger depression.
- Family problems
- Financial problems
- Death of a loved one
- Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend
- Academic, social, or societal pressures
For young people 15-20 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death, after unintentional injury and homicide.
- More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, and pneumonia.
- Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females.
- Females are more likely to attempt suicide than males are.
- Studies show that suicide attempts among young people may be based on longstanding problems triggered by a specific event. Suicidal teens sometimes see a temporary situation as a permanent condition. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive, self-destructive acts.
- Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings of suicidal tendencies.
