Adolescents who attempt suicide

A suicide prevention program for teen-agers was established and at the completion of the first two years a review of the data was undertaken. A group of 65 adolescents who attempted suicide were identified in that time period. The median age group was 16 years, and 75% were girls. Ingestion was the predominant method used in these suicidal attempts. The major characteristics of these youngsters included long-term family disruption, social isolation, and academic difficulties. A subgroup of 25 adolescents received psychologic tests. When compared to a matched control group there was a significantly higher rate of minimal brain dysfunction for those adolescents who attempted suicide.