Suicide – Press Room

(Posted 10/21/2011)

Every 15 minutes, someone dies by suicide in this country. And for every person who dies, there are many more who think about, plan or attempt suicide. A new CDC study examines that pattern among adults 18 years and older, in the United States by state.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults aged 18 Years or Older – United States, 2008-2009 appears in the October 21, 2011 edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries (MMWR).

Report Highlights:
This report is the first to present state-level data concerning suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults in the U.S. The data presented in this report support other findings that the public health burden of suicidal behavior throughout the United States is much greater than the number of deaths.

• The prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts, suicide planning, and suicide attempts was significantly higher among young adults aged 18–29 years than it was among adults aged 30 years or older.
• The prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts was significantly higher among females than it was among males.
• An estimated 8.3 million (annual average) adults (3.7% of the adult U.S. population) reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, ranging from 2.1% in Georgia to 6.8% in Utah. 
• More than 2.2 million adults (1.0% of adults) reported making suicide plans in the past year, ranging from 0.1% in Georgia to 2.8% in Rhode Island.
• More than 1 million adults (0.5% of adults) reported attempting suicide in the past year, ranging from 0.1% in Delaware and Georgia to 1.5% in Rhode Island.

The information in this report tells us there are big differences in the number of adults who report thinking about, planning, and attempting suicide in the past year, depending on where they live. This underscores the importance of collecting and using local information for prevention purposes.

To Learn More:

• Full Report: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults aged 18 Years or Older – United States, 2008-2009
• Press Release: CDC study shows suicidal thoughts and behavior vary among U.S. adults
• Learn more about Suicide Prevention
• Follow us on Facebook

Members of the News Media
For more information call CDC Injury Center Media Relations at 770-488-4902.

General Public
Inquiries from the general public are handled by CDC-INFO at 800-CDC-INFO or 800-232-4636.

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