Suicide Ideation

• 14.6% of 8th graders and 12.5% of 11th graders responding to the 2003 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey reported seriously considering suicide in the past 12 months.

Suicide

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Oregon youth aged 10-24.
• There are approximately 60 or more suicides among Oregon youth each year.
• 85% of suicide deaths are among males.
• Firearms were used in 67% of suicides in youth ages 10-24.

Suicide Attempts

• 876 youth under the age of 18 were treated in Oregon's hospital emergency departments for a suicide attempt in 2002.
• 75% of suicide attempts were among females.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for youth suicide risk include: prior suicide attempt, history of depression, substance abuse, family history of suicide, incarceration, firearm access, and homelessness.

Source:  State of Oregon, Department of Health and Human Services