If you or other person you know is at risk of committing suicide:
Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-8255.
The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the NSPL via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.
If someone you know posts on social platform and is at suicidal risk, call 988.
Help is available 24/7, and all calls are confidential.
Suicide is preventable, and those contemplating it can go on to experience fulfilling liveswhen they get the help needed. Watch for the warning signs and know how to find help.
US Statistics
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US among all age groups. (CDC)
About 130 Americans die by suicide daily. (CDC)
There is one death by suicide in the US each 11 minutes. (CDC)
Depression affects 20 to 25% of Americans ages 18 and older in a given year. (CDC)
Suicide takes the lives of over 48,500 Americans yearly. (CDC)
The highest suicide rates in America are among Whites, American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression get treatment. (NAMI)
80% to 90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy andor medication. (TADS study)
About 285,000 each year become suicide survivors. (AAS)
There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC)
There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts among the elderly. (CDC)
Global Statistics
Almost 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is roughly one death every 40 seconds.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide for those aged 15 to 24 years.
Depression is the leading cause of disability globally
Gender Disparities
Suicide among men is four times greater than among women.
Men deaths represent 79% of all US suicides. (CDC)
Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among men (51%). (CDC)
Women are more likely than males to have had suicidal thoughts. (CDC)
Women experience depression at roughly 2x’s the rate of men.(SMH)
Women attempt suicide 3x’s as often as males. (CDC)
Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for women. (CDC)
Age Disparities
1 in 100,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
12.7 in 100,000 young adults ages 20 to 24 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicidal planning and suicide attempts is significantly higher among adults aged 18 to 29 than among adults aged 30 and above. (CDC)
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 65. (CDC)
The highest increase in suicide is in males 50 and above (30 per 100,000). (CDC)
Suicide rates for females are highest among those aged 45 to 54 (9 per 100,000). (CDC)
Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75 and above (36 per 100,000). (CDC)
Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed. (SMH)
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual kids are 3 times more likely than straight kids to attempt suicide at some point in their lives.
Medically serious attempts at suicide are four times more likely among LGBTQ youth than other young people.
African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual attempt suicide at especially high rates.
41% of trans adults reported they had attempted suicide, in one study. The same study noted that 61% of trans people who were victims of physical assault had attempted suicide.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people who come from families that reject or do not accept them are over 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those whose families accept them.
Each time an LGBTQ person is a victim of physical or verbal harassment or abuse, they become 2.5 times more likely to hurt themselves.
Suicide Rates by Race/Ethnicity
In 2015, the largest U.S. suicide rate (15.1) was among Whites and the second highest rate (12.6) was among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Much fewer and roughly similar rates were found among Hispanics (5.8), Asians and Pacific Islanders (6.4), and Blacks (5.6).
Note that the CDC records Hispanic origin separately from the primary racial or ethnic groups of White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Asian or Pacific Islander, since persons in all of these groups mightequally be Hispanic.
Warning Signs of Suicide
Suicide does not have any single cause. Certain factors like substance abuse and untreated depression may lead to higher risk of suicide just as having a trusted group of friends can help protect you.
The warning signs of suicide are indicators that one may be in acute danger and may urgently need help.
Risk Factors
Risk factors do not cause or predict a suicide, rather they are characteristics that make it more likely a person will consider, attempt or die by suicide.
Protective Factors
Protective factors are characteristics that make one less likely to engage in suicidal behavior. Protective factors may promote resilience and ensure connectedness with others during difficult times, thereby making suicidal behaviors less likely.
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