5.4 VARIATION IN RATES OF INTENTIONAL INGESTION OF SUBSTANCES FOR SUSPECTED SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE BASED ON AGE AMONG US ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS

Abstract

Approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States have a diagnosable mental illness. In 2017, suicide rates for adolescents (ages 15–19 years) increased to the highest point since 2000. Drug overdoses have been rising since 1999, and overdose deaths among those ages 15–24 years of age reached the highest rate in 2017 since 2011. This study seeks to examine differences in trends in suicide attempts and substance abuse via intentional ingestions in US adolescents and adults from 2007 to 2017.