Although there is no such thing as a suicidal type of young person, the statistics on youth suicide do suggest that there are certain behaviors or characteristics that can alert you to a possible elevated risk of suicidal thought. Some of the most common elevated risk factors are listed below.

Rigid perfectionism is a risk factor in youth suicide especially when the perfectionist is threatened with not achieving at self – or other demanded levels of perfection.

Considered to be at high risk for suicidal behavior because they are the targets of a great deal of victimization. They report not feeling safe in their schools, feeling confused about their sexuality and suffering some form of verbal or physical abuse.

Youth with learning disabilities had twice the risk of emotional distress, and females were at twice the risk of attempting suicide and for violence involvement than their peers.

Teen suicides usually have shown a number of signs of being troubled and are usually loners.

Feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, “everyone would be better off without me.”

90% of those who complete suicide suffer from undiagnosed and treatable mental health issues.

A recent literature review of youth corrections shows that detention has a profoundly negative impact on young people’s mental and physical well-being, their education, and their employment. One psychologist found that for one-third of incarcerated youth diagnosed with depression, the onset of the depression occurred after they began their incarceration, and another suggests that poor mental health, and the conditions of confinement together conspire to make it more likely that incarcerated teens will engage in suicide and self-harm.

Abused youth in a study by the AMA showed significantly greater risk factors for youth suicide, including family disintegration, and diagnoses of depression, disruptive behavior disorders and substance abuse and dependence.

Alcohol and drug use clouds judgment, lowers inhibitions and worsens depression, and in turn can heighten the risk considerably.