59% Of Youth In Foster Care Who Died By Suicide Had At Least One Diagnosable Mental Health Disorder

Among youth involved with the child welfare system who died by suicide (suicide decedents), 59.2% had at least one diagnosable mental health condition, compared to 31.3% of other youth involved with the child welfare system. A total of 25.8% of suicide decedents had at least three diagnosable mental health conditions, compared to 6.4% for other youth involved in the child welfare system. Addiction was also more prevalent in suicide decedents, with 30.8% of those who died by suicide having an addiction disorder, compared to 12.3% of other youth involved in the child welfare system . . .