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National Mental Health Fact Sheet |
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National Mental Health Fact Sheet
In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 11-18 year-olds. Almost as many teens die by suicide as those who die from all natural causes combined.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005)
From 1999 to 2005, a total of 217,386 suicide attempts made in the United States resulted in death. 9,703 of these deaths were children and young adults from 11 to 18 years of age.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005)
From 2001 to 2006, a total of 2,253,086 self-inflicted injuries, including those made during suicide attempts, occurred in the United States. 438,568 of those injured were children and young adults from 11 to 18 years of age.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006)
For United States high school students, within a 12-month period:
- 28.5% feel sad and hopeless enough over a two-week period to halt usual activity
- 14.5% think seriously about suicide
- 11.3% make a plan for suicide
- 6.9% attempt suicide
- 2.0% make a suicide attempt that requires medical attention
(National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 2007)
Teens between the ages of 15 and 19 have the highest hospitalization rate for suicide attempts in the country. These teens account for 13% of those hospitalized for suicide attempts in the United States.
(Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2004)
Prevention and Screening Information
Forty-one states have developed suicide prevention plans, thirty-four of which advocate screening; of those, seven specifically mention TeenScreen.
(Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2008)
TeenScreen has 500+ screening sites in 43 states.
National Resources
In 2002, former President George W. Bush issued an executive order to form the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. To read the commission’s report in its entirety, visit:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov
For more information about mental health and research, visit: National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
For more information about mental health and substance abuse, visit:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://www.samhsa.gov
Last Updated 07/29/2008
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