New federal data show a decline in teen suicide rates, with serious suicidal thoughts among 12- to 17-year-olds falling from nearly 13% in 2021 to 10% in 2024. Suicide attempts also dropped slightly, from 3.6% to 2.7%. Experts say this is a hopeful sign, possibly linked to more teens opening up about their struggles and accessing treatment tailored to suicide prevention.
But, “this report does not break out prevalence or treatment rates by race or ethnicity,” said Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. That omission is raising concern among mental health advocates because without that data, she warned, it’s harder to track whether progress is reaching all communities equally.
Wesolowski pointed out that suicide rates among Black youth have been rising rapidly in recent years. “Are we making progress on that?” she asked. Without racial and ethnic data, there’s no way to know.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health said demographic data will be released in a forthcoming report. But for now, the lack of transparency leaves a gap in understanding how different communities are faring—and whether interventions are equitably distributed.
Despite the encouraging trends, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among teens. Advocates say the need for more comprehensive data and targeted support remains urgent.
See: “New federal data show a decline in teen suicide” (July 30, 2025)
