This report outlines the extent of the problem of adolescent suicide in the United States, noting that suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in this country and that the rate of suicide by adolescents is expected to continue to increase in the future. It examines one adolescent suicide, using the case study method, to illustrate the problem. Definitions of suicide and of adolescence are presented and factors related to adolescent suicide are reviewed. The remainder of the paper discusses the case study of a teenager who hanged himself a few days before his 18th birthday. Poems written by the boy are included throughout the text and are used to illustrate how he passed through the stages of haplessness, helplessness, and hopelessness. Messages contained in the boy's writings are used to explain how suicide was selected as a solution to his perceived and actual problems. (NB)