900,000 Youth Planned Suicides During Major Depression

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released (September 9, 2005) data showing that approximately 900,000 youth had made a plan to commit suicide during their worst or most recent episode of major depression, and 712,000 attempted suicide during such an episode of depression. The data are extracted from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which asked youth ages 12-17 about symptoms of depression, including thoughts about death or suicide.

The special report, "Suicidal Thoughts among Youths Aged 12-17 with Major Depressive Episode" is available on the web at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/suicide/suicide.cfm