Suicide has been a taboo subject in most cultures throughout history, so accurate statistics are difficult to obtain. Among myths related to adolescent suicides are that adolescence is a trouble-free time of life, that people who talk about committing suicide never do, and that certain definable types of people are prone to suicide, including depression, loss of a parent through death or marital breakup, alienation from the family, and other factors. Drug and alcohol abuse and increasing mobility have also increased the adolescent suicide rate. Warning signs of impending suicide include verbal statements, behavioral signs, situational signs like family strife or sudden changes, and syndromes like depression. Treatment often entails the involvement of three perspectives: biophysical, psychological, and sociological. School teachers and counselors have important roles in preventive efforts, in noting warning signs, listening to the adolescent's concerns, and helping adolescents develop support systems. 27 references.