Publications
Preventing Suicide Fact Sheet [PDF – 504 KB]
CDC’s fact sheet that includes definitions, consequences, and prevention strategies for preventing suicide
Often called “the voice of CDC,” the MMWR series is the agency’s primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. All material in the MMWR series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.
Anderson KN, Swedo EA, Trinh E, et al. Adverse Childhood Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associations with Poor Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviors Among High School Students — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1301–1305. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7141a2.
Stone D, Trinh E, Zhou H, et al. Suicides Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2015–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1161–1168. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7137a1.
QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates for the Three Leading Methods of Suicide, by Race and Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:979. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7130a6.
Kegler SR, Simon TR, Zwald ML, et al. Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:656–663. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119e1.
Ehlman DC, Yard E, Stone DM, Jones CM, Mack KA. Changes in Suicide Rates — United States, 2019 and 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:306–312. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7108a5.
Ivey-Stephenson AZ, Crosby AE, Hoenig JM, Gyawali S, Park-Lee E, Hedden SL. Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years — United States, 2015–2019. MMWR Surveill Summ 2022;71(No. SS-1):1–19. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7101a1.
Yard E, Radhakrishnan L, Ballesteros MF, et al. Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts Among Persons Aged 12–25 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 2019–May 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:888–894. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7024e1.
Peterson C, Sussell A, Li J, Schumacher PK, Yeoman K, Stone DM. Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:57–62. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6903a1.
Ivey-Stephenson A, Demissie Z, Crosby A, et al. Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among High School Students ― Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Suppl. 2020 Aug 21; 69(1): 47-55. DOI: 10.15585/ mmwr.su6901a6. PMID: 32817610; PMCID: PMC7440198.
Ertl A, Sheats KJ, Petrosky E, Betz CJ, Yuan K, Fowler KA. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2016. MMWR Surveill Summ 2019;68(No. SS-9):1–36. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss.6809a1.
Johns M, Lowry R, Rasberry C, et al. Violence Victimization, Substance Use, and Suicide Risk Among Sexual Minority High School Students — United States, 2015–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67: 1211–1215. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6743a4.
Fowler KA, Jack SP, Lyons BH, Betz CJ, Petrosky E. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2014. MMWR Surveill Summ 2018;67(No. SS-2):1–36. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6702a1.
Jack SP, Petrosky E, Lyons BH, et al. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 27 States, 2015. MMWR Surveill Summ 2018;67(No. SS-11):1–32. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6711a1.
Peterson C, Stone D, Marsh S, et al. Suicide Rates by Major Occupational Group — 17 States, 2012 and 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67:1253–1260. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6745a1.
Annor F, Zwald M, Wilkinson A, et al. Characteristics of and Precipitating Circumstances Surrounding Suicide Among Persons Aged 10–17 Years — Utah, 2011–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67: 329–332. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6711a4.
Lyons BH, Fowler KA, Jack SP, Betz CJ, Blair JM. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 States, 2013. MMWR Surveill Summ 2016;65(No. SS-10):1–42. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6510a1.
Sullivan E, Annest J, Simon T, et al. Suicide Trends Among Persons Aged 10–24 Years — United States, 1994–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64(08): 201-205.
Simon TR, Kegler SR, Zwald ML, et al. Notes from the Field: Increases in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2020–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1286–1287. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7140a4.
QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates, by Urbanization Level and Sex — National Vital Statistics System, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1159. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7136a4.
QuickStats: Percentage of Suicides and Homicides Involving a Firearm Among Persons Aged ≥10 Years, by Age Group — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:670. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119a5.
Jones SE, Ethier KA, Hertz M, et al. Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021. MMWR Suppl 2022;71(Suppl-3):16–21. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7103a3.
Sheats KJ, Wilson RF, Lyons BH, Jack SP, Betz CJ, Fowler KA. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 39 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2018. MMWR Surveill Summ 2022;71(No. SS-3):1–44. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7103a1.
Kegler SR, Stone DM, Mercy JA, Dahlberg LL. Firearm Homicides and Suicides in Major Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2015–2016 and 2018–2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:14–18. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101a3.
Stone DM, Jones CM, Mack KA. Changes in Suicide Rates — United States, 2018–2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:261–268. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7008a1.
Czeisler M&, Board A, Thierry JM, et al. Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adults with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, February–March 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1142–1149. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7034a3.
Czeisler M, Lane R, Petrosky E, et al. Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic ― United States, June 24-30, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Aug 14; 69(32): 1049-1057. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1. PMID: 32790653; PMCID: PMC7440121.
Petrosky E, Ertl A, Sheats KJ, Wilson R, Betz CJ, Blair JM. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 34 States, Four California Counties, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2017. MMWR Surveill Summ 2020;69(No. SS-8):1–37. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6908a1.
Johns M, Lowry R, Andrzejewski J, et al. Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — 19 States and Large Urban School Districts, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019; 68: 67–71. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6803a3.
Leavitt R, Ertl A, Sheats K, Petrosky E, Ivey-Stephenson A, Fowler K. Suicides Among American Indian/Alaska Natives — National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2003–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67:237–242. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6708a1.
Kegler S, Dahlberg L, Mercy J. Firearm Homicides and Suicides in Major Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2012–2013 and 2015–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67: 1233–1237. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6744a3.
Stone D, Simon T, Fowler K, et al. Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates — United States, 1999–2016 and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide — 27 States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67: 617–624. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6722a1.
David-Ferdon C, Crosby AE, Caine ED, Hindman J, Reed J, Iskander J. CDC Grand Rounds: Preventing Suicide Through a Comprehensive Public Health Approach. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:894–897. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6534a2.
Nett R, Wittel T, Holzbauer S, et al. Notes from the Field: Prevalence of Risk Factors for Suicide Among Veterinarians — United States, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64(5): 131-132.
Rice, K., Brown, M., Nataraj, N., & Xu, L. (2023). Circumstances contributing to suicide among U.S. adolescents 10–19 years with and without a known mental health condition: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2013–2018. Journal of Adolescent Health.
Ehlman, D. C., Haileyesus, T., Lee, R., Ballesteros, M. F., & Yard, E. (2021). Evaluation of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All injury program’s self-directed violence data, United States, 2018. Journal of Safety Research, 76, 327-331.
Wilkins, N. J., Clayton, H., Jones, C. M., & Brown, M. (2021). Current prescription opioid misuse and suicide risk behaviors among high school students. Pediatrics, 147(4).
Sumner, S. A., Burke, M., & Kooti, F. (2020). Adherence to suicide reporting guidelines by news shared on a social networking platform. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(28), 16267-16272.
Miller, G. F., Kegler, S. R., & Stone, D. M. (2020). Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Deaths From Firearm Suicide: United States, 2008–2017. American Journal of Public Health, 110(6), 897-899.
Holland, K. M., Jones, C., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., et al. (2021). Trends in US emergency department visits for mental health, overdose, and violence outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(4), 372-379.
Bledsoe, M., Captanian, A., & Somji, A. (2021). Special Report from the CDC: Strengthening social connections to prevent suicide and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Actions and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Safety Research, 77, 328-333.
Wang, J., Sumner, S. A., Holland, K. M., Halpin, J., Ivey-Stephenson, A., & Crosby, A. E. (2020). National trends in hospitalizations for self-directed violence related to opioids and/or depression — United States, 2000–2015. Preventive Medicine, 134, 106051.
Wang, J., Sumner, S. A., Simon, T. R., Crosby, A. E., Annor, F. B., Gaylor, E., … & Holland, K. M. (2020). Trends in the incidence and lethality of suicidal acts in the United States, 2006 to 2015. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(7), 684-693.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org.