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Fast Facts and Myths about Suicide

• Between 1998 and 2002 there were 517 suicides of young people ages 10 to 24 - an average of nearly 2 per week

• Between 1998 and 2002 there were 3,793 hospitalizations of young people between the ages of 10 and 24 - average of 14 ½ per week

• In 1996 alone, an estimated $22,000,000 dollars were spent on medical costs for completed and medically treated suicide acts for youth ages 0-20

• Over 32% of 10th graders indicated that they felt sad or hopeless almost every day in the past two weeks

• 17.8% of 10th graders had seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months (one out 6)

• 13.7% of the 10th graders indicated that they had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide in the past 12 months

• Youth suicides outnumber youth homicides in Washington State

• A 50% reduction in current rates of youth suicide behaviors would save approximately $12 million a year in hospital-based health care expenses alone

Myth: A youth threatening suicide is really not serious about completing suicide.

Fact: Those youth who talk about suicide or exhibit suicidal behaviors are serious suicide risks. As a friend, parent or professional caregiver, it is better to overestimate the risk of suicide and intervene than to ignore or minimize the behaviors.

Myth: Suicide cannot be prevented because, somehow, a suicidal youth will find a way to do it.

Fact: The majority of the time youth who kill themselves have given definite signs or talked about suicide. The keys to prevention are recognizing the warning signs and knowing what to do to help. Remember that most suicidal youth do not really want to die, they just want their pain to end.

Myth: Talking about suicide will cause someone to attempt suicide.

Fact: Talking about suicide does not create or increase risk; it actually reduces it. If you have observed any of the warning signs, chances are the youth is already thinking about suicide. Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational way; ask the question, "are you thinking about suicide?" Open talk and genuine concern are a source of relief and key elements in preventing the immediate danger of suicide.

*SOURCES: WA DOH Injury Prevention Program; Children’s Safety Network; 2004 Healthy Youth Survey, WA State Department of Health