Official data are reported in age bands. To give you the most complete picture, this page uses:
Children / Preteens: 8–12 years (where available)
Younger teens: 10–14 years (CDC standard band)
Older teens: 15–19 years (CDC standard band)
Youth (broad): 10–24 years (CDC/AAP); some state-by-state tables use 5–24 years
Exact counts for “under 18” are not always available publicly; where needed we use the closest CDC and NIH age bands and clearly label them.
Leading causes: Suicide is among the top 2 leading causes of death for ages 10–14 and 15–24 in the U.S.
How common are suicidal thoughts in teens? In 2024, about 10.1% of U.S. adolescents (12–17) reported serious thoughts of suicide; 4.6% made a plan; 2.7% attempted (NSDUH). In 2023, the figures were 12.3%, 5.6%, and 3.3%.
Overall U.S. suicide trend: The national age‑adjusted suicide rate has been near record highs in 2022–2023; youth patterns vary by subgroup.
Suicide deaths can be misclassified as accidents or undetermined intent.
Studies estimate under‑counting can range from about 10% to 30% or more depending on time period, methods, and jurisdiction.
Reasons: limited autopsies or toxicology, stigma, insurance concerns, and variation in death‑certification practices.
The latest compiled state snapshot for “Young” = ages 5–24 (closest public state‑level view) shows crude suicide rates per 100,000. Top 10 (highest) in the most recent year available:
Alaska — 22.5
Wyoming — 20.4
New Mexico — 18.6
Montana — 15.0
Idaho — 14.6
North Dakota — 13.9
Colorado — 11.5
Oklahoma — 11.4
South Dakota — 11.2
Kansas — 10.9
Full state tables & downloadable data:
2023 State rates by life period (PDF): jmcintos.pages.iu.edu/2023_Suicide_Data_States_Life_Periods.pdf
CDC WISQARS/WONDER (build your own state map by age band): wisqars.cdc.gov and wonder.cdc.gov
Important: CDC flags state rates based on <20 deaths as statistically unreliable; interpret those with caution.
Preteens (8–12): Research shows an ~8% per year rise in suicide rates since 2008, with sharper increases among girls, AI/AN, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic preteens.
High school students: CDC’s YRBS shows some improvement from 2021 → 2023 in suicidal ideation for several groups (especially girls), but levels remain elevated, and disparities persist for LGBTQ+ students and some racial/ethnic groups.
Methods: Firearms are increasingly involved in youth suicides; secure storage is a key prevention strategy.
Mental health conditions: depression, anxiety, substance use, ADHD, bipolar disorder
History: previous attempt, self‑harm, family history of suicide
Life experiences: bullying (including online), trauma/abuse, discrimination, grief and loss, academic or legal problems
Access to lethal means: especially unsafely stored firearms and toxic medications
Health & social factors: chronic illness, sleep problems, isolation, major transitions, lack of affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth
Connectedness: supportive family, trusted adults, friends, mentors, and school belonging
Care: timely access to evidence‑based mental health treatment; follow‑up after ER/psychiatric care
Safety planning & coping skills: collaboratively made plans, crisis warning‑sign recognition
Means safety: lock up firearms (unloaded, locked, separate ammo), lock boxes for medications, blister‑pack storage, remove unused meds
Culturally responsive & affirming care: particularly for LGBTQ+ and AI/AN youth
Talking/writing about wanting to die; searching for ways to die
Hopelessness, feeling trapped, unbearable pain
Marked changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or behavior
Withdrawing from friends/activities; giving away possessions
Increased substance use
Accessing firearms or stockpiling medications
If you see warning signs, act now: stay with them, remove lethal means, contact 988, and seek urgent professional help.
Ask directly and calmly about suicidal thoughts; asking does not plant the idea.
Secure lethal means: use firearm locks/safes; lock meds; dispose of leftovers.
Make a safety plan together (triggers, coping steps, people/places, professional contacts).
Schedule care: pediatrician/PCP, therapist, or crisis clinic; ask about evidence‑based treatments (e.g., CBT‑SP, DBT‑A).
Build daily supports: sleep routines, school check‑ins, peer connection, trusted adults, and activities that provide purpose.
Follow up after any crisis visit—the weeks after hospitalization/ER visit are high risk.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call/text) • 988lifeline.org
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+): TEXT START to 678‑678 • thetrevorproject.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 • crisistextline.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): afsp.org (state fact sheets & support)
AAS (American Association of Suicidology): suicidology.org (state data tables & resources)
AAP Suicide Prevention Blueprint (for clinicians & families): aap.org (search “Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention”)
Be SMART (secure firearm storage): besmartforkids.org
Find care: PsychologyToday.com (therapists), findtreatment.gov (federally supported search)
Outside the U.S.: iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres
Sources: CDC WONDER/WISQARS, CDC YRBS, SAMHSA NSDUH, NIMH/NIH studies, AFSP/AAS compilations.
Age bands: Where exact “under 18” data are not published at state level, we use the closest official bands (10–14, 15–19, 10–24, and compiled 5–24) and label them.
Rates vs counts: We prioritize rates per 100,000 for fair state comparisons. Small‑number states (few deaths) have unstable rates—interpret with caution.
Under‑counting: Death certification can misclassify some suicides; official tallies are conservative.
CDC WISQARS & WONDER: wisqars.cdc.gov • wonder.cdc.gov
CDC, Suicide Data & Statistics (latest overall and by demographics)
CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2023: cdc.gov/yrbs
SAMHSA, NSDUH 2023 & 2024 (adolescent suicidal thoughts/behaviors)
NIMH/NIH updates on preteen suicide trends
AAS State suicide data tables (including “Young” 5–24): suicidology.org/facts-and-statistics/
AFSP national & state fact sheets: afsp.org/suicide-statistics • afsp.org/state-facts/
This page is informational and not a substitute for professional care. Shared by Never Forget Me, a sanctuary for parents who have lost a child.