Statistics

Statistics regarding Suicidal Ideation (SI) and Attempts:

• Increasing cases of pediatric suicidality highlight the ongoing mental health crisis among youth. Suicide attempts, ideation and self-injury have become the most common mental health conditions seen in children’s hospitals’ emergency departments, according to data from Children’s Hospital Association’s Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). Between 2016 and 2022, children’s hospitals saw a 166% increase in emergency department visits for suicide attempts and self-injury among children from ages 5-18.  Children's Hospital Association, 2023

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults ages 10 to 34 years of age.  CDC, 2023, Jed Foundation

• 10% of high school students have attempted suicide in the past year.  CDC, 2023 Jed Foundation

• In Pennsylvania, 13.46% of youth have serious thoughts of suicide.  Mental Health America, 2024

• In Pennsylvania, 20.5% of youth have struggled with at least one Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the last year.  Mental Health America, 2024

• In Pennsylvania, 53.70% of youth with MDE did NOT receive mental health treatment in the last year. Mental Health America, 2024

  • • Reasons for this trend from Mental Health America, 2024:

      • 86.9% indicate that they feel they should be able to handle it on their own.

      • 59.8 worry about what other people might think if they get treatment for MDE.

      • 57.8 worry that what they say in counseling/therapy will not remain confidential.

      • 55.5% do not know where to go to get treatment.

If you are experiencing a crisis, 

please call 911 immediately for help.