Trends in suicide ideation and suicidal behavior among high school students in the United States, 1991-1997

To examine trends in suicide ideation and behavior over time, the authors a nalyze data from nationally representative samples of between 10,904 and 16 ,296 students participating in the 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 Youth Risk Be havior Surveys. These data describe the proportion of United States student s in grades 9 through 12 that reported having (I) seriously considered atte mpting suicide, (2) made a plan to attempt suicide, (3) attempted suicide, and (4) made an injurious suicide attempt. From 1991 to 1997, the percentag e of students seriously considering suicide and the percentage that made a suicide plan showed significant linear decreases. However, the percentage o f students that made an injurious suicide attempt showed a significant line ar increase. These trends make it unlikely that relevant national health ob jectives fur the year 2000 will be met. Additional efforts are needed to id entify and disseminate strategies that effectively reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents.