NCJ Number
128418
Date Published
1989
Length
888 pages
Annotation
This four-volume report of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Task Force on Youth Suicide identifies risk factors for youth suicide, reviews prevention and intervention activities, and defines strategies for the future.
Abstract
The task force reviewed the current body of knowledge on youth suicide; held forums to solicit information and advice from the Nation's leading educators, scientists, care providers, and other international experts; and commissioned papers to close knowledge gaps. The task force study found that the suicide rate for youth between the ages of 15 and 24 almost tripled during the past 30 years. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for persons in this age group. Certain risk factors are associated with an increase likelihood of suicide in a population. These include parental loss, family disruption, emotional stress, a history of abuse and neglect, homosexuality, being a friend or a family member of a suicide victim, previous suicide attempts, mental illness or drug dependency in a family member, chronic or acute alcohol and drug abuse, and access to firearms. Although mental illness is often related to suicide, only a portion of the youth who commit suicide have been diagnosed as mentally ill. Guns are most often used for suicide for both males and females. Task force recommendations are to develop accurate, timely, and valid data on suicide and attempted suicide; to conduct multidisciplinary research to determine and evaluate the risk factors for suicide; and to evaluate the effectiveness and cost of interventions to prevent suicide. Other recommendations are to support the delivery of suicide prevention services; inform and educate the public and health service providers about current knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of suicide among youth; and involve both public and private sectors in the prevention of youth suicide. Commissioned papers and references