Suicide Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cross‐National Comparison of 34 Countries

Abstract

Few cross‐national reports have examined suicide rates among adolescents and young adults. A survey of suicides among 15–24‐year‐olds in 34 of the wealthiest nations demonstrated that 15,555 youths killed themselves in a 1‐year study period. Thirty‐four percent of these suicides were firearm‐related. Finland led the participating nations in total and firearm‐related suicide rates. An association was found between divorce rates and youth suicide rates, firearm‐related suicide among youths, and suicide rates among young males. For a smaller sample of countries, an association was found between firearm availability and firearm‐related suicide rates among youths and suicide rates among young males.