Completed suicide in youth

The purpose of this study was to collect descriptive information on a large number of children, adolescents and young adults who had committed suicide. The medical examiner's records for deaths of persons 25 and under from non-natural causes were reviewed; 656 youth suicides were identified. Children, adolescents and young adults who committed suicide were most likely to be older males with a current psychiatric disorder, usually an affective disorder or alcohol or drug abuse. Suicides appeared to be impulsive and triggered by age-normative precipitants. Sex, age and cohort differences are presented. Results are evaluated in light of previous research.