Our Suicide Situation

General Situation Nationalwide

  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages.

  • Suicide takes the lives of over 44,965 Americans every year.

  • 80% -90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication.
  • There is 1 death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes.

  • There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts.

  • There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts in the elderly.

Situation Age Related

  • 1 in 100,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year.

  • 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year.

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans.
  • Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults ages 18-65.

  • Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75+ (36 per 100,000).

  • Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

General Situation Worldwide

  • 1 in 100,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year.

  • 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans.


Data from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to compile the suicide facts.