Teen Suicide Rates Growing in U.S.

A research article in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that teen suicides were declining significantly from 1996 to 2003, then began increasing at a surprising rate in 2004. Between 2003 and 2004, the number of suicides among 10-to-19-year-olds grew 18%.

A number of experts, including the study's lead researcher, Jeff Bridge, say this trend is significant and that public health leaders should do something about it. However, the causes of the growing suicide rate are not crystal clear.

Some experts think the fact that doctors are prescribing fewer antidepressants such as Prozac to teens may be related to the increase. Many doctors scaled back the number of antidepressants they were prescribing to younger patients after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed a warning on the packaging of certain types of antidepressant medications in 2003. The warning label states that these medications, called selective serotonin uptake reinhibitors (SSRIs), may increase the risk of suicide or suicidal behavior in children and teens.

Others have blamed the weak economy and difficulty getting into college, two problems that affect many teens.