The Nation - News from Sept. 14, 1986

Thirty-one percent of high-achieving teen-agers have contemplated suicide and 4% have attempted it, a survey of students listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” said. Among factors the teen-agers believe contribute to suicide are: feelings of worthlessness, isolation and loneliness; pressure to achieve; failure or fear of it; drugs, alcohol and family problems. An estimated 1,700 15- to 19-year-olds kill themselves annually. The report is based on forms completed by 1,943 of 450,000 students in the current edition and is supposed to have a margin of error of 2%.