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For every two youth (ages 0–19) murdered in 1996, one youth committed suicide |
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For every two youth (ages 0–19) murdered in 1996, one youth committed suicide |
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7% of all suicides in 1996 involved youth age 19 or younger FBI data indicate that about 3,900 youth age 19 or younger were murdered in the U.S in 1996. The magnitude of this problem has captured the public's attention, but much less attention has been given to the fact that for every two youth murdered, one youth commits suicide. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that 30,903 persons committed suicide in the U.S. in 1996. Of these, 7% (2,119) were youth age 19 or younger. Overall, suicides increased 9% between 1980 and 1996. For youth younger than age 15, the increase was 113%. Despite this large increase, these youngest suicide victims accounted for just 1% of all suicides in 1996. Young suicide victims are disproportionately male and white Males accounted for 8 in 10 youth suicides; white youth also accounted for 8 in 10 suicides.
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