Youth Suicide Rates in U.S. Linked to Shortages of Mental Healthcare Workers at County Level

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. adolescents, with rates rising over the last decade. Disparities exist by area geography, with higher suicide rates in rural and high-poverty areas of the U.S., where mental health professionals are scarce.

Mental health problems are among the most common precipitating factors for youth suicide. Up to one in five children in the U.S. has a mental health condition, but only about half of children who need mental health care receive it.

Read a summary of the research findings here