Insights Into Suicide and Adverse Childhood Experiences

"It is estimated that nearly 90 percent of suicide attempts among high school students under age 18 and as many as two-thirds of adult suicide attempts are directly attributable to ACEs. Individuals with 6 ACEs are 13-30 times more likely to attempt suicide (depending on age), while those with at least 7 ACEs show up to a 51-fold increase. In other words, if we prevent and treat ACEs, we could prevent the majority of suicides."

"In a nationally representative sample of veterans (Fischer et al. 2025), 11.5 percent screened positive for high suicide risk according to scores on a scale measuring the following six cognitions (that is, thoughts or beliefs): I'm completely unworthy of love. There is nothing redeeming about me. I can't cope with my problems any longer. I can't imagine anyone being able to withstand this kind of pain. Nothing can help me solve my problems. Suicide is the only way to end this pain."

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major cause of suicide in America. Nearly 90 percent of suicide attempts among high school students under age 18 and up to two-thirds of adult suicide attempts are attributable to ACEs. Individuals with six ACEs are 13-30 times more likely to attempt suicide; those with seven or more ACEs show up to a 51-fold increase. Preventing and treating ACEs could prevent the majority of suicides. Recent national veteran data link high suicide-risk cognitions to higher ACE scores. Shame, helplessness, and hopelessness commonly result from ACEs.

Read at Psychology Today