kidsdata advisory

Youth Suicides in California: Rates Remain Below U.S. Figures but Still a Public Health Concern

The rate of suicide among California youth up to age 24 declined nearly 30% in the late 1990’s, but increased slightly in the following decade. Still, California's youth suicide rate remains below the national rate.

The state’s youth suicide rate in 2009-11 was 7.5 per 100,000 youth ages 15-24, compared to 10.4 per 100,000 youth nationwide, according to recently updated figures on kidsdata.org. See the data>>

In 2011, 462 California children/youth ages 5-24 were known to have committed suicide; boys and young men accounted for almost 80% of those cases.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 nationwide. Though it is likely underreported due to social stigma, reported suicides account for about 4,400 deaths a year among U.S. youth.

Read more about youth suicide in California, including policy implications>>

See Youth Suicide Data in California

• Youth Suicide Rate
• Number of Youth Suicides, by Age
  • by Gender
  • by Race/Ethnicity

Helpful Links

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Violence Prevention: Youth Suicide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention Resources and Publications, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action

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California's youth suicide rate remains below the national rate.