The authors present an overview of adolescent suicide in the United States. They provide rates of suicide for those 15-24 years old for the period 1970-80, as well as 1980 rates by geographical location. A basic prevention model that can be used by educators is presented. It is predicted that, since the rate of youth suicide has tripled since 1950, there is going to be an epidemic of single cases in schools, & many school populations will be put at higher risk of subsequent suicides.