Fact Sheet

SUICIDE FACTS

SUICIDE COMPLETION

• Over 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year
• Suicide is the 11 th leading cause of death in the United States
• Every 16 minutes someone in the United States dies of suicide
• 90% of all people who die by suicide have a psychiatric diagnosis at the time of their death; major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide
• Suicide rates in the United States are lowest in the winter and highest in the spring
• Suicide rates in the western states are higher than the national average, while lower than the national average in the eastern and Midwestern states
• Suicide rates among men are highest in White men, followed by American Indian and Native Alaskan men
• Suicide rates are particularly low among African American females
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young persons aged 15 to 24 and suicide rates are higher among the elderly than any other age group
• For every completed female suicide, there are four completed male suicides
• Daily, around 80 Americans succeed at taking their own life
• Firearms are the most common method of suicide
• In addition to the trauma of losing a loved one, family members of persons who have died by suicide are at greater risk for suicide and emotional problems

   

  

  SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

• Suicide attempts occur much more frequently than actual suicides
• It is estimated that close to 1,000,000 people make a suicide attempt each year
• Suicide attempts are the biggest risk factor for suicide completions
• Twice as many females as males attempt suicide
• The leading risk factors for suicide attempts include depression, substance abuse, hopelessness, domestic violence, and a childhood history of trauma
• Suicide attempts must be viewed as a cry for help

 

 

SUICIDE INTERVENTIONS

• There are good interventions for people who feel suicidal
• Suicide hotlines are available 24/7/365 to provide a listening ear, support, and advice
• Individual, group, or couples/family counseling can assist people in dealing with the stresses associated with their suicidal thoughts and feelings
• Medication can be helpful if people feel suicidal because they are depressed or anxious or have other mental health problems
• Family members who have lost a loved one to suicide can benefit from grief therapy and support and advocacy groups for survivors
• SEEK ASSISTANCE IF YOU NEED HELP

 

 

These facts were taken from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at http://www.afsp.org. the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm, and the American Association of Suicidology at www.suicidology.org.