Four teenage suicide within the last 6 months in the city of Palo Alto. The most recent suicide happened on Monday, Oct.19th at 10:50 pm. A fifth suicide attempt was interrupted. The students who died were all from the same high-performing school, Gunn High School. They all died the same way, by jumping in front of a train at a Caltrain station.

On KQED’s Forum, spokesperson for Caltrain, Chirstine Dunn, says Caltrain currently has an ongoing investigation about these incidents. She says they have been able to confirm two of the deaths as suicides while the other two are still under investigation. Dunn says they have intervened in more than a dozen similar cases this year. The train station is now taking action by placing signs that read “Active Railroad, No Trespassing” and another that says, “There is Help 1-800-SUICIDE.”

A study by the Suicide and Mental Health Association International says that between 1% and 5% of all teen suicides in the U.S occur in clusters, taking the lives of 100 to 200 teenagers a year. KQED reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death for California teens, but also the most preventable.

For information regarding suicide or suicide prevention assistance, visit Adolescent Counseling Services or the 24-Hour Suicide and Crisis Line (Santa Clara County): 650-494-8420

For more information on this issue visit:
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
National Suicide Prevention Lifetime

Previously:

• Simulation Finds Pattern In Copycat Suicides
• Teen Suicide - Youth Radio
• My Depression