SUICIDE IN THE YOUNG

Suicide in the young is not a new phenomenon. There have been increase s in young males but not young females, and the geographic distributio n varies. Although sociological issues are of importance, there are su bstantial data attesting to the presence of psychiatric illness in the overwhelming majority of those who commit suicide. While such illness may not be a sufficient cause for suicide to occur, it would appear t o be a necessary one. Treatments are available.