Youth Suicide Prevention in Schools

New Mexico youth are shooting, hanging, and poisoning themselves or finding other ways to end their lives because life has become unbearably painful for them. Many more of our youth are considering killing themselves, but have not taken that final step and are at risk for doing so.

Regarding New Mexico youth, 11-19 years of age:

• For 2000-2005, the number of young people taking their own lives was equivalent to a suicide every 12 days;
• In 2005, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death;
• For 2004, among the 50 states, New Mexico had the 4th highest suicide rate. Additionally, the 2005 New Mexico High School Youth Resiliency & Risk Survey shows:
• 8% (about 1 in 13) reported they had attempted suicide during the past 12 months;
• 16% (about 1 in 6) reported having made a suicide plan in the previous 12 months.

New Mexico Cooperative Extension has been working with Signs of Suicide (SOS) program.

Related Extension Resources:

• A Call to Action
  Inviting schools to implement the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program

• Suicide Prevention and Intervention in Schools (An Extension "How-To" publication)

County Agents utilizing the SOS program:

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