The study included Utah residents, 13- to 21-years-old, who completed suicide between August 1, 1996, and June 6, 1999. The etiology of youth suicide is multifactorial. The developmental tasks of adolescents are unique and require special consideration when suicide risk factors are studied. In adolescence, most suicide attempters are female, while the majority of suicide completers are male. Firearms are the most common method of suicide across the Nation and among all age groups. Data from Utah government agencies demonstrate an association between youth suicide and contact with juvenile justice. Sixty-three percent of youths who completed suicide in Utah had contact with juvenile justice, and there was a direct correlation between number of referrals and increased suicide risk. Suicide experts have suggested that suicide prevention programs focus on finding youths who are at risk for suicide and referring them to treatment. However, the best mechanism to identify young people who are at risk for suicide is uncertain, and it is unclear which government agencies have contact with youths at risk for suicide. Tables, figure, references