[YSPNetwork] CDC pub on youth suicide

[Lisa M MILLET]

FYI, see pdf attached

       September 6, 2007
Dear Colleague: 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to announce the release of the study, “Suicide Rate Trends Among Youth Ages 10-24 Years, United States, 1990-2004.” The study, which is published in the September 7, 2007 edition of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), examines specific trends in suicide and suicide methods among youth and young adults aged 10 to 24. 
Results indicate from 1990 through 2003, the total suicide rate for 10 to 24 year olds declined by 28.5 percent; however, between 2003 and 2004, the overall rate of suicide increased among this age group by 8 percent, the largest single-year rise in 15 years. The most noted change occurred in hanging/suffocation suicides among 10 to year old girls.   
As this report points out, suicide is a highly prevalent and disturbing problem among our youth. In 2004, suicide was the third leading cause of death for youths ages 10 to 24. In 2005, nearly 16.9% of students, in grades 9-12, reported seriously considering suicide during the previous 12-month period, with 7.1% having actually attempted suicide. These statistics, along with the recent data on youth suicide trends, drive home the importance of recognizing and reducing the risk factors associated with suicidal behavior as well as choosing evidence-based methods of preventing suicide. 
Reducing the overall suicide rate of the population and the number of suicide attempts among adolescents are two of the 2010 national health objectives (objectives 18-1 and 18-2, respectively) (3). However, it is with recent advances in surveillance that we have the knowledge to approach suicide as a preventable problem with realistic opportunities to save many lives. Within the past four years CDC has 
Implemented the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in 17 states, which can now share data on violent deaths — including suicide — so that effective violence prevention policies may be developed. At least six of the 17 states currently participating in NVDRS have released comprehensive suicide prevention plans based on NVDRS data. 
Funded state injury prevention programs in Maine and Tennessee to implement and evaluate strategic plans for suicide prevention. 
Convened an expert panel to review the existing state of suicide surveillance and to recommend definitions to use during data collection. Acquiring better data about suicide will shape prevention efforts and provide valuable insight to help decision makers and communities make informed public health decisions for allocating prevention resources. 


CDC is also working with other federal agencies to implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). The plan reflects a comprehensive and integrated approach to reducing the loss and suffering from suicide and suicidal behaviors in the United States. It is designed to be a catalyst for social change, with the power to transform attitudes, policies, and services. The effective implementation of the National Strategy will play a critical role in reaching the suicide prevention goals outlined in the Nation's public health agenda, Healthy People 2010.  For more information on CDC’s work in suicide prevention please visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/suicide/.  
In spite of these efforts, significant progress still needs to be made. Prevention requires a variety of organizations and individuals to become involved and emphasizes coordination of resources and culturally appropriate services at all levels of government–Federal, State, tribal and community–and with the private sector. With your help CDC will continue to research effective prevention strategies, develop and evaluate new ones, and communicate information about what works to practitioners in the field as data becomes available. 
Sincerely yours, 
   
W. Rodney Hammond, PhD.
Director, Division of Violence Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Lisa M. Millet
Injury Prevention and Epidemiology Section Manager
Department of Human Services, Health Services
800 NE Oregon St. Suite 772
Portland, OR  97232
971-673-1059 desk
503-572-8585 cell
971-673-0990 fax
Lisa.M.Millet at state.or.us
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