According to studies conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than one in twelve (8.8%) of drug-related hospital emergency room visits by adolescents was a suicide attempt.
In addition, most of the suicide attempts by teens (72.3%) were females. Females also dominated the numbers among young adults and those over the age of 25, but at a significantly lower level (57.6% and 57.5% respectively).
Pharmaceutical drugs were involved in 9 out 10 drug-related suicides, but the patterns of substances used varied among the different age and gender groups. For example, teen girls were more likely to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) while women 25 and older were more likely to overdose on anti-anxiety drugs. Also, teen boys were three times more likely to have used antipsychotic drugs than the teen girls were.
"The sheer numbers of young people that continue to end up in costly hospital emergency rooms as a result of substances abuse and suicide is truly alarming," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde in a press release, "and is a clear signal that we must continue to evaluate the impact of behavioral health on health and health care costs."
The full details of the studies can be found online at:
If you are struggling with suicidal urges, SAMHSA also provides a network of crisis call centers throughout the U.S. which are available 24/7 to assist you. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by making a toll-free call to 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
