Suicide among young people age 15 – 24 constitutes a considerable burden on the global level. Data from 90 out of the 130 WHO members states show that suicide was the fourth leading cause among young males and the third for young females. Suicide rate is higher in young males (world average 10.5 per 100 000) than in young females (world average 4.1 per 100 000). A rising trend of suicide in young males is observed in many countries and particularly marked on other continents than Europe.

Since suicide risk is high among psychiatrically ill young people. Therefore, an adequate treatment of psychiatric disorders and improved detection of psychiatric illnesses in the general population is important. Preventive measures in the health care services after a suicide attempt and an early recognition of children and young people at risk in schools by screening, gate keepers training and other awareness programs are essential strategies.

The results of those studies as well as the worldwide initiative launched by the WHO in SUPRE for the prevention of suicide, will be presented.