The discussion notes that the increase in the youth suicide rate in New York closely parallels the increase in the national trend. Suicides are the second leading cause of death in all but five counties and New York City. Although information for identifying individual at-risk teenagers and preventing teenage suicide is not available, high-risk groups can include those who are clinically depressed; have a family history of suicide attempts; or have been in trouble due to impulsivity, learning difficulties, and aggressive outbursts. Other risk factors are the use of excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs and prior suicide attempts. The discussion covers the need for psychosocial, biochemical, and epidemological studies; the increasing evidence for developing reliable biological screening to determine biochemical markers of suicide; the effective versus causative role of alcohol; and the implications related to the involvement of firearms and the possible use of automobiles in suicide. Figures and maps