Adolescent substance abuse is a major public health concern. It is associated with an increased incidence of various psychiatric disorders like depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorders and the relationship between mental and behavioral disorders and the substance use problems seems to be bi-directional. Adolescent suicide and substance abuse have a number of risk factors in common. Prevention of suicide requires an individualized comprehensive assessment and management plan aimed at substance use and psychiatric disorders. This would involve a multidisciplinary collaboration and use of pharmacological, psychological and social interventions.