Trends in the Prevalence of Suicide–Related Behaviors National YRBS: 1991—2017

The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors health behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. The national YRBS is conducted every two years during the spring semester and provides data representative of 9th through 12th grade students in public and private schools throughout the United States.

Trends in the Prevalence of Alcohol Use National YRBS: 1991—2017
Percentages Trend from 1991–20171 Change from 2015–20172
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017
Seriously considered attempting suicide
(during the 12 months before the survey)
29.0 24.1 24.1 20.5 19.3 19.0 16.9 16.9 14.5 13.8 15.8 17.0 17.7 17.2 Decreased 1991—2017
Decreased 1991—2007
Increased 2007—2017
No change
Made a suicide plan
(during the 12 months before the survey)
18.6 19.0 17.7 15.7 14.5 14.8 16.5 13.0 11.3 10.9 12.8 13.6 14.6 13.6 Decreased 1991—2017
Decreased 1991—2009
Increased 2009—2017
No change
Attempted suicide
(one or more times during the 12 months before the survey)
7.3 8.6 8.7 7.7 8.3 8.8 8.5 8.4 6.9 6.3 7.8 8.0 8.6 7.4 Decreased 1991—2017 No change
Made a suicide attempt that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse
(during the 12 months before the survey)
1.7 2.7 2.8 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.9 2.3 2.0 1.9 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.4 No change 1991—2017 No change
  1. Based on linear and quadratic trend analyses using logistic regression models controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade, p < 0.05. Significant linear trends (if present) across all available years are described first followed by linear changes in each segment of significant quadratic trends (if present).
  2. Based on t-test analysis, p < 0.05.