Interesting Statistics on Suicide Statistics

If you are in danger of hurting yourself, please stop reading this webpage, and call help at 911, or go to your nearest Emergency Care Facility (ER). Help and healing is available.

Suicide is exasperated by social isolation, child abuse, hopelessness and sustained depression. Suicide can be considered an only option for those feeling deeply alone or ashamed.

In the US, a suicide occurs every 20 minutes.

Over 30,000 US residents commit suicide each year, and over 130,000 are hospitalized following a suicide attempt. For women, suicide attempts are 3 times as common.

  • Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for all Americans.
  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for children 10-14, and adolescents 15-24.
  • Suicide was the second leading killer in the college population, in 1998.
  • 11.4% of college students seriously considered suicide, within the last 12 months.
  • The suicide rate for adolescents has tripled since 1958—and younger children are killing themselves.

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, (2004, November). Suicide: Fact Sheet, accessed May 2005
Shea, S. C. (1999). The practical art of suicide assessment: A guide for mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 5.
Ibid.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, (2004, November). Suicide: Fact Sheet, accessed May 2005 from www.cdc.gov/.
Ibid.
National Mental Health Association, (n.d.). Retrieved 13 from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
National Institute of Mental Health. (2003). In Harms Way: Suicide in America
National Mental Health Association, (n.d.). Retrieved 13 February 2006 from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1997, November). National college health risk behavior survey (NCHRBS): MMWR, 46(SS-6).
Hart, A. D. (1992) Stress and your child: Know the signs and prevent the harm. USA: Word, P. 7.