Suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents. A recent article in JAMA Psychiatry by Nock, Ph.D.,et. al. decribes research investigating what factors lead to suicidal behavior in adolescents. Lifetime rates of: suicidal thoughts = 12%; suicidal plan = 4%; suicidal attempts = 4%. Importantly, 60% of adolescents who are suicidal with a plan, attempt suicide within one year of the onset of having suicidal thoughts. For most [55%] of suicidal adolescents they started psychiatric treatment before they became suicidal. Suicidal behavior rates were highest in females and lowest in non-Hispanic blacks. Females attempt more and males complete more as they use more lethal means [guns]. Adolescents are less likely to have suicidal attempts if they live with both their biological parents and have siblings. Psychiatric diagnoses that predict progression from suicidal thoughts to plan to attempt include: major depression; dysthymia; eating disorders; ADHD; conduct disorders. Symptoms of anxiety, agitation and poor behavioral control, predict suicide attempts.
This research points out how important it is to take suicidal thoughts seriously and especially suicidal plans. More than half of adolescents who are suicidal with a plan will attempt suicide within a year of the onset of their suicidal thoughts. If you know an adolescent who is suicidal, talk to them and tell an adult about it.