How horrible would it be to have a friend that you thought you knew but you actually didn’t? In reality, they were upset with themselves and would even go as far as taking their own life. In recent years, the amount of suicides among American teenagers has spiked, especially within certain social groups.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 4,599 suicides in Americans from ages 10 to 24 in 2004, but in 2003 there were 4,232 teenage suicides. In 2007, reported suicide rates increased by 8%. It was the largest jump in suicides that has occurred in 15 years. Many psychologists believe that this increase is due to the decrease of anti-depressant buyers. 

Researchers have identified that suicide among LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) youth is much higher than among the general population. This is predicted to have been caused by homophobia. Depression and drug use in the LGBT community have been shown to increase significantly after new laws that were posed to discriminate against the LGBT individuals were passed.

Teenage suicides are caused by factors like eating disorders, drug abuse, sexual abuse/rape, divorce of parents, trauma, household financial problems, bullying, social rejection, anger/guilt, break-ups, illness, disability/deformations, domestic violence or abuse, academic failure in school, loneliness, feelings of being misunderstood, insecurities, extreme mood swings, loss of loved ones, and mental disorders.

Eating disorders have been most related to teen suicide rates compared to any other mental illness or disorder. Teenagers with eating disorders are at about a 15% increase of committing suicide.

A lack of parental interest can also be a major factor in teenage suicide. According to one study, 90% of suicidal teenagers believed their families did not understand them.

Depression is the most common cause of suicide. About 75% of those individuals who commit suicide are depressed.