Schools
Teens Considering Suicide In WA On The Rise, State Survey Shows
The state's biennial Healthy Youth Survey tracks thoughts of suicide and attempts in students around the state.
SEATTLE, WA - A biennial state survey of public school students indicates that teens are increasingly having thoughts of suicide. The results of the Healthy Youth Survey were released last week, and the data show that one in five teens have thought about committing suicide over the last year. Since 2006, the share of students in 8th, 11th, and 12th grade has risen steadily.
Since 2006, the share of students considering students has risen: from 11 to 17 percent of 8th graders; from 15 to 21 percent of 10th graders; and from 12 to 20 percent of 12th graders, according to the survey.
Also on the rise: teen anxiety. In 2016, one-third or more of 10th and 12th graders experienced "high levels" of anxiety. Meanwhile, several groups of students are more likely to experience thoughts of suicide, or attempts; those groups include LGBTQ students, girls, and American Indian students. Although girls more often contemplate suicide, boys are more likely to die by suicide, according to the state.
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Here's a look at the survey results by local county:
| King County | 8th Grade | 10th Grade | 12th Grade |
| Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 15% | 19% | 18% |
| Boys: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 11% | 14% | 15% |
| Girls: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 19% | 22% | 21% |
| Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 8% | 9% | 7% |
| Boys: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 6% | 8% | 5% |
| Girls: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 9% | 11% | 9% |
| Pierce County | 8th Grade | 10th Grade | 12th Grade |
| Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 18% | 22% | 21% |
| Boys: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 10% | 14% | 17% |
| Girls: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 25% | 29% | 24% |
| Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 11% | 11% | 8% |
| Boys: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Girls: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 15% | 14% | 10% |
| Snohomish County | 8th Grade | 10th Grade | 12th Grade |
| Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 16% | 22% | 23% |
| Boys: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 12% | 17% | 18% |
| Girls: Seriously considered suicide in past 12 months | 20% | 27% | 27% |
| Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 9% | 11% | 10% |
| Boys: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 5% | 6% | 8% |
| Girls: Attempted suicide in past 12 months | 12% | 15% | 11% |
The Healthy Youth Survey was taken last fall, and gathered responses from nearly 230,000 Washington students across 236 school districts. For more on the survey and to find suicide help, visit the survey's resource guide.
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Image via Pixabay
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