Preventing Suicide Among Young Adults: Statistics and Strategies
Reading Time: 6 minutesYoung adults are struggling with their mental health at historically high rates. Almost 14 percent of adults ages 18–25 have serious thoughts of suicide, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Furthermore, the suicide rate for ages 10 to 24 years old increased by 57 percent in the US over the past decade, per CDC data. Yet only about 4 in 10 adults who attempt suicide receive mental healthcare.
These mental health and suicide statistics underline the vital importance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, which includes World Suicide Prevention Day and Suicide Prevention Week.
What You’ll Learn
- How many young adults experience suicidal thoughts?
- Are suicide rates higher in certain populations?
- What are suicide risk factors in young adults?
- What are common warning signs of suicide risk?
Quick Read
Young adults are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, with nearly 14 percent of individuals aged 18 to 25 reporting serious suicidal thoughts in the past year. The suicide rate among those aged 10 to 24 has surged by 57 percent over the last decade, highlighting a critical public health issue. Alarmingly, only about 40 percent of adults who attempt suicide receive the necessary mental healthcare.
Additionally, 1 in 3 young adults has experienced a mental health issue in the past year, with a significant increase in serious psychological distress over the last two decades. Factors contributing to this rise include social media overuse, cyberbullying, and a decline in face-to-face interactions, particularly affecting marginalized groups such as American Indian and Alaska Native youth, who face even higher suicide rates than their white peers.
Recognizing the warning signs of suicidal ideation is crucial for prevention, such as expressing hopelessness, withdrawing from social connections, and drastic changes in behavior or mood. Effective treatment options, including therapy and support programs, can address the underlying mental health issues and help young adults build resilience and coping skills.
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2025 Research on Suicide and Depression in Young Adults
Researchers theorize that a variety of factors are contributing to the dramatic rise in young adult suicide. These include social media overuse, cyberbullying, poor sleep habits, concerns about the future of the country and the planet, and a decline in the amount of time this age group spends face-to-face with friends.
Here are some 2025 statistics on suicide in young adults:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adults under the age of 45, accounting for 16 percent of deaths in people ages 18–25
- 1 in 3 young adults has experienced a mental, behavioral, or emotional health issue in the past year, according to SAMHSA.
- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the suicide rate for ages 20–24 has reached its highest point since 2000, rising 57.4 percent over the last decade.
- Correspondingly, research shows a 71 percent increase in serious psychological distress among young adults over the past 20 years.
How Many Young Adults Have Suicidal Thoughts?
Suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, are common among young adults. About 1 in 7 young adults has suicidal thoughts. And this number has increased drastically over the past decade, according to a study published in the journal Psychiatric Services in 2025.
Researchers found that between 2015 and 2019, the percentage of young adults (age 18–25) experiencing suicidal thoughts rose from 8 percent to 12 percent. That represents a 43 percent increase in the percentage of young adults with suicidal ideation, over just four years. It was the highest increase among all age groups.
Suicide Rates Among Specific Populations
For specific ethnic and cultural groups, rates of suicide are even higher than for their white peers. For American Indian and Alaska Native youth, the rate of suicide is 2.5 times higher than that of their peers. Asian American and LGBTQ young adults also have disproportionately high rates of depression and suicide.
In addition, 1 in 3 LGTBTQ+ young adults considered suicide in the past year, and 8 percent made a suicide attempt. This data comes from a nationwide survey of 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people conducted by The Trevor Project.
What to Ask Someone Who Is Struggling
Here are some questions that can help start a discussion and create an opening to offer support.
- What kinds of things do you obsess over?
- How do you feel about the future?
- Have you ever thought about suicide?
- How can we support each other better?
- Will you tell me how you’re really doing?
Read “10 Things to Say to Someone with Depression.”
10 Risk Factors for Suicide Among Young Adults
A specific set of factors can contribute to the risk of young adult suicide. Risk factors do not cause suicide, but they contribute to a person’s likelihood of making a suicide attempt.
It’s not only depression and suicide that are linked. Anxiety and suicide are also closely related, as anxiety disorders can cause intense distress and hopelessness, leading to suicidal ideation and attempts. In addition, specific events and circumstances can increase the risk of suicide in young adults.
The top reasons for suicide among young adults include the following:
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders
- A history of problem substance use
- Exposure to violence, abuse, or other trauma, either chronic or acute
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Losing a family member through death or divorce
- Financial or job loss
- Conflict within relationships
- Starting or changing psychotropic medications
- Feeling stigmatized
- Lack of a support system.
Suicide Warning Signs and How to Take Action
With so many young adults struggling with their mental health, family members and loved ones need to be particularly vigilant. Here are some of the warning signs of depression and suicidal ideation.
- Talking or posting on social media about suicide or wanting to die
- Sharing that they are feeling a sense of hopelessness or being trapped
- Increasing use of drugs and/or alcohol
- Losing or gaining weight; changes in eating habits
- Extreme changes in sleep habits; insomnia or sleeping too much
- Gathering drugs, sharp objects, firearms, or other items that could be used to commit suicide or self-harm
- Withdrawing from friends and family members
- Doing online searches for methods of committing suicide
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye, and giving away possessions they care about
- Trouble concentrating at work and/or a drop in academic performance
- Unexplained physical issues such as headaches and stomachaches
- Risk-taking or self-destructive behavior
- Suddenly becoming calm or cheerful after a long period of being depressed and sad.
If you see any of these signs, take the following actions:
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Remove anything that could be used in a suicide attempt, including firearms, alcohol, drugs, razors, or other sharp objects.
- Call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
In addition, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline runs a network of suicide hotline crisis centers. Moreover, they provide information about taking suicide precautions.
Suicide Prevention in Young Adults: Accessing Effective Mental Health Treatment
If a young person is at risk of suicide, it’s vital that they receive care immediately, at an ER or from whatever provider is available. When the immediate crisis is averted, the next step in finding the right treatment for suicidal young adults is a comprehensive assessment to uncover the underlying mental health issue. That might be anxiety, depression, trauma, or another disorder.
Once a diagnosis is determined, a mental health professional can support a young adult and their family in identifying the right level of care. Treatment options for depression and suicide risk include weekly therapy, outpatient treatment, and residential care. The severity of the diagnosis will inform what type of treatment a young adult needs in order to achieve long-term healing.
Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts, Depression, and Anxiety at Newport Institute
At Newport Institute, our treatment for suicidal young adults goes beyond the immediate crisis situation. We support young people to heal the root causes of suicidal ideation and to build resilience and healthy coping skills. Hence, a treatment plan for suicidal ideation addresses the whole person and their unique needs and goals.
Our comprehensive approach to care includes the following evidence-based modalities:
- Family therapy to help young adults heal childhood trauma and/or family ruptures while establishing autonomy and making connections outside the family
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify self-defeating thoughts and assumptions that make life more difficult
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which provides specific skills like mindfulness and emotional regulation, which can be used right away and become stronger with practice.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) to support transformation and healing by resolving any initial resistance young adults may have to treatment
- Creative arts therapy, such as art therapy and music therapy, give young adults ways to process their emotions through self-expression
- Adventure therapy, supporting young adults to build trust, mastery, and collaboration skills
- Yoga and mindfulness to promote self-awareness and help bring young adults into the present moment
- Positive coping skills, such as using the breath and reframing negative thinking.
In summary, understanding the causes, warning signs, and risk factors for suicide among young adults can help prevent tragic loss of life. With the support of loved ones and with access to the mental healthcare they need, emerging adults can look forward to a hopeful future.
Contact us today to find out about our specialized treatment for young adult depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
