11 Facts about Mental Health    

3.Mental Health

i.

In the next twenty four hours, 1,439 teens will attempt suicide.

ii.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 19 year olds.

iii.

More teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

iv.

For every successful teen suicide, there are about 25 attempts made.

v.

Over three million young people are at risk for suicide, but only 36% receive treatment.

vi.

A recent survey of 15 to 19 year olds found that within a 12 month period, almost one in five had seriously considered attempting suicide.

vii.

Male teens are almost five times more likely than females to die by suicide, even though females are more likely to attempt suicide.

viii.

Several state and national studies have found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens are more likely to seriously consider and attempt suicide than heterosexual teens.

ix.

Population studies show that at any point in time 10 to 15 percent of children and adolescents have some symptoms of depression.

x.

Once a young person has experienced a major depression, he or she is at risk of developing another depression within the next 5 years. This young person is also at risk for other mental health problems.

xi.

Between 20% and 40% of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within five years after depression onset.