Teen Suicide

State: Rhode Island Department of Education

The Problem of Teen Suicide

The teen years are a time when your child experiences many changes. Although these may seem like some of the happiest years of your child's life, they can also be the most confusing. Overwhelming feelings of stress, sadness, uncertainty, and pressure to succeed are not uncommon during adolescence. These already strong feelings are often intensified by changes in their life such as a move to a different community, a divorce, troubles with school, or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. For some, suicide may seem like the only solution to their problems.

Suicide and suicide attempts among teens is a daily occurrence in the United States. Nationally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10 to 14 year olds. More adolescents die by suicide then by cancer, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. Before completing suicide, many teens have persistent suicidal thoughts and/or make a suicide attempt. According to a school-based survey of 9 th through 12 th graders in Rhode Island, almost 10% of students said that they had actually made a suicide attempt and 17% said that they had given a suicide attempt serious thought.

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