Suicide Risk
If you are in a crisis and need help right away:
Call this toll-free number, available 24 hours a day, every day:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
You will reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service available to anyone. You may call for yourself or for someone you care about. All calls are confidential. |
According to the American Medical Association, "Suicide (self-inflicted death) occurs in all parts of the world. Suicide causes about half of all deaths due to violence."1
National Institute of Mental Health, Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention
Suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. In 2004, it was the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 32,439 deaths. The overall rate was 10.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. An estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death.
Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or change over time.
What are the risk factors for suicide?
Research shows that risk factors for suicide include:
- Depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.
- Stressful life events, in combination with other risk factors, such as depression. However, suicide and suicidal behavior are not normal responses to stress; many people have these risk factors, but are not suicidal.
- Prior suicide attempt
- Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Firearms in the home, the method used in more than half of suicides
- Incarceration
- Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as Family members, peers, or media figures.
Research also shows that the risk for suicide is associated with changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Decreased levels of serotonin have been found in people with depression, impulsive disorders, and a history of suicide attempts, and in the brains of suicide victims.
Are women or men at higher risk?
- Suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause of death for females in 2004.
- Almost four times as many males as females die by suicide.
- Firearms, suffocation, and poison are by far the most common methods of suicide, overall. However, men and women differ in the method used, as shown below.
| Suicide by: |
Males (%) |
Females (%) |
| Firearms |
57 |
32 |
| Suffocation |
23 |
20 |
| Poisoning |
13 |
38 |
Is suicide common among children and young people?
In 2004, suicide was the third leading cause of death in each of the following age groups. Of every 100,000 young people in each age group, the following number died by suicide:
- Children ages 10 to 14 - 1.3 per 100,000
- Adolescents ages 15 to 19 - 8.2 per 100,000
- Young adults ages 20 to 24 - 12.5 per 100,000
As in the general population, young people were much more likely to use firearms, suffocation, and poisoning than other methods of suicide, overall. However, while adolescents and young adults were more likely to use firearms than suffocation, children were dramatically more likely to use suffocation.
Are older adults at risk?
Older Americans are disproportionately likely to die by suicide.
- Of every 100,000 people ages 65 and older, 14.3 died by suicide in 2004. This figure is higher than the national average of 10.9 suicides per 100,000 people in the general population.1
- Non-Hispanic white men age 85 or older had an even higher rate, with 17.8 suicide deaths per 100,000.1
Are Some Ethnic Groups or Races at Higher Risk?
Of every 100,000 people in each of the following ethnic/racial groups below, the following number died by suicide in 2004.1
- Highest rates:
- Non-Hispanic Whites - 12.9 per 100,000
- American Indian and Alaska Natives - 12.4 per 100,000
- Lowest rates:
- Non-Hispanic Blacks - 5.3 per 100,000
- Asian and Pacific Islanders - 5.8 per 100,000
- Hispanics - 5.9 per 100,000
What are some risk factors for nonfatal suicide attempts?
- As noted, an estimated eight to 25 nonfatal suicide attempts occur per every suicide death. Men and the elderly are more likely to have fatal attempts than are women and youth.
- Risk factors for nonfatal suicide attempts by adults include depression and other mental disorders, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce.
- Risk factors for attempted suicide by youth include depression, alcohol or other drug-use disorder, physical or sexual abuse, and disruptive behavior.
- Most suicide attempts are expressions of extreme distress, not harmless bids for attention. A person who appears suicidal should not be left alone and needs immediate mental-health treatment.
For more information, read the entire article from which this was excerpted and link to the references at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention.shtml.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: The diagnosis and treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders requires trained medical professionals. The information provided is for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for seeking professional care of any mental/psychiatric disorders.
Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health, Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention,
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention.shtml
1. Journal of the American Medical Association, May 25, 2005-Vol 293, No. 20, Patient Pages, "Suicide",
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/293/20/2558.pdf
