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18 per 100,000 Oklahomans aged 15-19 commit suicide, which puts the state at 37th for adolescent suicide. Massachusetts ranks 1st with a rate of 4.8 while Alaska ranks last with 41.3 out of every 100,000 teens taking their own life.
Deaths due to intentional self-harm per 100,000 women ages 15-19
Source: America’s Health Rankings
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.
Suicide incidents are often associated with mental health issues, emotional distress, or a sense of hopelessness.
Oklahoma ranks 42 out of 50 states for deaths due to intentional self-harm among women.
It’s a serious health concern for adolescents and young adults. In 2020, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among those aged 10-24 and 25-34.
Youth suicidal ideation, attempt, and completion are on the rise in the United States, making mental health services more important than ever.
Risk factors associated with adolescent suicide are mental illnesses like major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders (see Frequent Mental Distress, Drug-Related Deaths, Depression and Anxiety). Family history of depression or suicide is also a risk factor, as are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as the loss of a parent to death or divorce and physical and sexual abuse (see ACEs Reported).
Social isolation and bullying also contribute to adolescent deaths by suicide.
If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This issue brief was written by Metriarch staff as part of our Data Lookbook. Peer review was provided by Whitney Cipolla with Healthy Minds Policy Initiative.
Suggested citation
Metriarch. “Adolescent Health,” Data Lookbook (2024). URL: metriarchok.org/teen-birth-rate.
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