Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
Pennsylvania Value:
Number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 adolescents ages 15-19
Pennsylvania Rank:
Additional Measures:
Explore Population Data:
Appears In:
Number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 adolescents ages 15-19
<= 9.0
9.1 - 11.2
11.3 - 12.3
12.4 - 15.5
>= 15.6
No Data
US Value: 10.5
Top State(s): New York: 5.1
Bottom State(s): Montana: 36.3
Definition: Number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 adolescents ages 15-19
Data Source and Years(s): CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2020-2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Suicide is a serious public health problem. Among youth, it exacts an enormous toll due to the significant years of potential life lost. In 2022, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10-14 in the United States.
In addition to those who die by suicide, many more adolescents have suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide and survive. Results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 10% had attempted suicide in the past year.
In 2023, the Surgeon General issued an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health. While social media can have positive impacts on mental health by providing positive community spaces, studies have shown that there is an association between adolescents spending more time on social media and having poor mental health outcomes.
Risk factors associated with suicide among adolescents include:
In 2019, the total cost of suicide among people younger than 25 in the U.S. was estimated at nearly $80 billion, including medical expenses and work losses.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the teen suicide rate is higher among:
High school students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning or another non-heterosexual identity (LGBQ+) are more likely to seriously consider attempting suicide, make a suicide plan and attempt suicide compared with heterosexual students.
Youth suicide is preventable. Prevention efforts can work at all levels of influence — individual, relationship, community and societal. Some ways to reduce suicide rates for at-risk youth include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several strategies to prevent suicide, including:
The CDC also has specific school-based strategies and approaches that promote and support the mental health and well-being of adolescents.
Further, Youth.gov provides several resources on preventing youth suicide. In 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched to provide an easy-to-remember number for 24/7 confidential crisis support for people in distress. Their website offers additional forms of crisis support through text and online chat, as well as other accessibility, prevention and crisis resources.
Healthy People 2030 has an objective to reduce suicide attempts by adolescents.
Barber, Catherine W., and Matthew J. Miller. “Reducing a Suicidal Person’s Access to Lethal Means of Suicide.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 47, no. 3 (September 2014): S264–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.028.
Bilsen, Johan. “Suicide and Youth: Risk Factors.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 9 (October 30, 2018): 540. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00540.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, February 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Data-Summary-Trends_Report2023_508.pdf.
Gaylor, Elizabeth M., Kathleen H. Krause, Laura E. Welder, Adina C. Cooper, Carmen Ashley, Karin A. Mack, Alexander E. Crosby, Eva Trinh, Asha Z. Ivey-Stephenson, and Lisa Whittle. “Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021.” MMWR Supplements 72, no. 1 (April 28, 2023): 45–54. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a6.
Golberstein, Ezra, Irina Zainullina, Aaron Sojourner, and Mark A. Sander. “Effects of School-Based Mental Health Services on Youth Outcomes.” Journal of Human Resources 59, no. S (April 2024): S256–81. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1222-12703R2.
Miron, Oren, Kun-Hsing Yu, Rachel Wilf-Miron, and Isaac S. Kohane. “Suicide Rates Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States, 2000-2017.” JAMA 321, no. 23 (June 18, 2019): 2362. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.5054.
Peterson, Cora, Gabrielle F. Miller, Sarah Beth L. Barnett, and Curtis Florence. “Economic Cost of Injury — United States, 2019.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70, no. 48 (December 3, 2021): 1655–59. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7048a1.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.