National Suicide Statistics at a Glance

Trends in Suicide Rates* Among Males Ages 45-64 Years, by Mechanism, United States, 1991-2009

Between 1991 and 2009, suicide deaths rates among males ages 45 to 64 years from firearms were greater than all other suicide mechanisms combined. Although the firearm suicide rate dropped from 1991 to 2000, it has since increased 15% from 13.19 to 15.52 suicides per 100,000 in 2009. Suffocation suicide rates among males aged 45 to 64 years have increased 103.5% since 2001 from 2.91 to 5.92 suicides per 100,000 in 2009. Poisoning suicide rates remained fairly constant between 1991 and 2005 when they began to rise slightly. Suicide rates by other mechanisms remained fairly steady from 1991 through 2009.

Footnote: *All rates are age specific. Rates based on less than 20 deaths are statistically unreliable.

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