From NIMH:
Suicide Facts
Completed suicides, U.S., 1996
Suicide was the 9th leading cause of death in the United States.
The 1996 age-adjusted rate was 10.8/100,000, or 0.01%
Only 1.3% of total deaths were from suicide. By contrast, 32% were from diseases of the heart, 23% were from malignant neoplasms (cancer), and 7% from cerebrovascular disease (stroke), the three leading causes
The total number of suicide deaths was 30,903
Suicide by firearms was the most common method for both men and women, accounting for 59% of all suicides
More men than women die by suicide
The gender ratio is 4.5:1
73% of all suicides are committed by white men
79% of all firearm suicides are committed by white men
The highest suicide rates were for white men over 85, who had a rate of 65.3/100,000. However, suicide was not the leading cause of death for this age group.
Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide. The rate was 12.2/100,000, or .01%
The suicide rate among children ages 10-14 was 1.6/100,000, or 298 deaths among 18,949,000 children in this age group.
The suicide rate among adolescents aged 15-19 was 9.7/100,000, or 1,817 deaths among 18,644,000 adolescents in this age group
The 1996 gender ratio for this age group was 5:1 (males: females)
Among young people 20 to 24 years of age the suicide rate was 14.5/100,000, or 2,541 deaths among 17,562,000 people in this age group
The 1996 gender ratio for this age group was 7:1 (males: females)
Research Findings
Suicide is a complex behavior. The risk factors for suicide frequently occur in combination
Scientific research has shown that almost all people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder; and the majority have more than one disorder.
Clinical research has shown that alterations in neurotransmitters/neuromodulators such as serotonin can increase risk for suicide. These altered levels have been found in patients with depression, violent suicide attempts and impulsive disorders, and also in postmortem brains of suicide victims.
Adverse life events in combination with other strong risk factors such as mental or substance abuse disorders and impulsivity, may lead to suicide. However, suicide and suicidal behavior are not normal responses to the stresses experienced by most people. Many people experience one or more risk factors and are not suicidal.
More Research Findings
Familial factors in highly dysfunctional families can be associated with suicide
Family history of mental or substance abuse disorder
Family history of suicide
Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Other risk factors include
Prior suicide attempt
Firearm in the home
Incarceration
Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, including family members, peers, and/or via the media in news or fiction stories
Attempted Suicides
No national data on attempted suicide are available; reliable scientific research, however, has found that:
There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to one completion; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly
More women than men report a history of attempted suicide, with a gender ratio of about 2:1
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in adults are depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression, alcohol or other drug use disorder, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors
The majority of suicide attempts are expressions of extreme distress that need to be addressed, and not just a harmless bid for attention. |
