Trends in Suicide Among Youth Aged 10 to 19 Years in the United States, 1975 to 2016

Key Points Question Does the disproportionate increase in suicide rates among female youth indicate a narrowing of the historically large gap between male and female youth in suicide? Findings This cross-sectional study of 85 051 youth suicide deaths found a significant reduction in the gap between male and female rates of suicide among youth aged 10 to 19 in the United States, with the most pronounced narrowing in younger individuals. Female suicide rates by hanging or suffocation are approaching those of male youth, and significant differences by race/ethnicity also exist. Meaning A narrowing gap between male and female youth suicide rates underscores the importance of early suicide prevention efforts that take both sex and developmental level into consideration.