Suicide and opioid overdose contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality each year in the United States. In previous studies, researchers have reported that youth with a lifetime history of prescription opioid misuse (POM) are at increased risk for suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. During 2018, suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 19 years.1 During 1999 to 2016, opioid-related overdose death rates among youth aged 10 to 14 years increased 150%, and rates among youth aged 15 to 19 years increased 250%.2
An estimated 44.4% of students who reported current POM reported that during the previous 12 months they had seriously considered a suicide attempt; 39.4% had made a suicide plan; 32.5% had attempted suicide; and 65.4% had felt sad or hopeless (Table 2). Among students who reported past POM, 37.2% had seriously considered a suicide attempt; 32.6% had made a suicide plan; 18.7% had attempted suicide; and 57.4% had felt sad or hopeless during the previous 12 months. Among students with no POM, 15.3% had seriously considered a suicide attempt; 12.7% had made a suicide plan; 6.0% had attempted suicide; and 33.4% had felt sad or hopeless during the previous 12 months (Table 2).
