Suicide Stats & Risk Factors

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.

Below are some Risk Factors associated with suicide:

• Family history of suicide
• Family history of child maltreatment
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• History of mental disorders, particularly depression
• History of alcohol and substance abuse
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
• Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
• Local epidemics of suicide
• Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
• Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
• Physical illness
• Easy access to lethal methods
• Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts

Here’s a map of Suicide rates per 100,000 in the US, 2000-2006 (CDC). Based on death data from 2000 through 2006, this US map of the smoothed, county-level, age-adjusted suicide rates indicate that suicide rates are highest in the western and northwestern regions of the United States. There is also a notable pattern of high suicide rates among counties in the central areas of the midwest and southern regions and in central Florida.

Protective Factors

• Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
• Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking
• Family and community support (connectedness)
• Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation

(U.S. Public Health Service 1999)