Oklahoma ranks 23 (out of 30 states reporting this data) in the U.S. (tied with Kansas) for deaths from intentional self-harm among female adolescents aged 15–19. By comparison, New Jersey has the lowest rate at 2.8 suicides per 100,000 females in this age group, while Idaho records the highest, with 10.2 deaths for every 100,000 females aged 15-19.
Deaths due to intentional self-harm per 100,000 women ages 15-19 from 2021-2023.
Source: Americas Health Rankings
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis hotline. Additional resources, including a treatment facility locator, can be found here.
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Suicide incidents are often associated with mental health issues, emotional distress, and/or a sense of hopelessness.
As the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, suicide is a serious health concern in America. These trends are particularly concerning among youth – in 2023, 2 in 10 (20%) of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) made an attempt.
Some adolescent populations are disproportionately at risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. Compared to their male counterparts, female high school students are more likely to experience feelings of hopelessness, poor mental health, and plan/attempt suicide.
Further, youth living in rural communities face unique challenges that exacerbate suicidal risk. 35.8% of Oklahomans live in rural areas where counties face a severe shortage of both mental and physical healthcare providers (see Access to Care in Rural Areas). Reducing these barriers to care is a critical part of preventing youth suicide and ensuring stronger protection for teens in every part of our state.
Suicide and suicidal behaviors are influenced by social determinants of health: racism, economic hardship, lack of affordable housing, a dearth of educational opportunities, and/or barriers to healthcare access, just to name a few.
Childhood is a critical period of social and emotional development, making it a vulnerable time where factors outside of one’s control can increase the likelihood of developing suicidal thoughts or tendencies later on. Having a family history of poor mental health, being a victim of abuse or bullying, and adverse childhood experiences (see ACEs Reported) can all increase girls’ risk of suicide.
Beyond one’s physical and social environment, mental illness is a significant risk factor driving suicide rates among youth. Mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders have shown to increase risk of suicide. Anxiety and depression are additional risk factors that are increasingly common among adolescents, especially women (see Depression and Anxiety).
This issue brief was written by Metriarch staff as part of our Data Lookbook. Peer review was provided by Whitney Cipolla with Healthy Minds Policy Initiative.
Suggested citation
Metriarch. “Adolescent Health,” Data Lookbook (2025). URL: metriarchok.org/teen-suicide-rate/
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