Latest Suicide Data: An Analysis
In 2007, there were 34,598 reported suicide deaths in the United States, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nationally, the suicide rate increased 3 percent from 11.2 suicides per 100,000 population in 2006 to 11.5 in 2007. The rate has fluctuated since 2000, ranging from a low of 10.4 in 2000 to a high of 11.5 in 2007, with a mean rate of 11.0 (see chart below). The 2007 suicide rate is the highest since 1995.
Current rates for every age group between 25 and 84 have increased. The most significant increases occurred in individuals aged 25 to 34 (12.3 in 2006 to 13.0 in 2007), 45 to 54 (17.2 to 17.7), and 55 to 64 (14.5 to 15.5). The rate of 17.7 for 45- to 54-year-olds is the highest for any age group in the country, while the rate for 55- to 64-year-olds showed the greatest increase from the previous year.
Suicide rates for those 45 to 64 have increased significantly since 2000. The current rate for the 45-54 age group (17.7) is the highest since 1977, while the rate for those aged 55 to 64 (15.5) is the highest since 1990.
“This is really a troublesome and discouraging trend,” said AFSP Medical Director Dr. Paula Clayton. “It emphasizes that those in these age groups need to be better at recognizing depression in themselves and their loved ones and in seeking treatment. And healthcare professionals need to be better trained at screening and treating their middle-aged patients for depression and other mental disorders.”
The 2007 rates were slightly lower for youth ages 15 to 24 (9.7), reaching its lowest mark since 2003, and for the elderly 85 years and over (15.6) -- perhaps a result of the greater national attention paid to suicide among youth and the elderly.
Every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide. It remains the 11th leading cause of death in this country. Though suicide attempts are not reported, it is estimated that close to one million people make a suicide attempt each year.
Research has shown that 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death, most often unrecognized or untreated depression.
| 2000-2007, United States, Suicide Deaths and Rates per 100,000 Population | |||
| Year | Number of Suicide Deaths | Population | Rate |
| 2000 | 29,350 | 281,421,906 | 10.4 |
| 2001 | 30,622 | 285,112,030 | 10.8 |
| 2002 | 31,655 | 287,888,021 | 11.0 |
| 2003 | 31,484 | 290,447,644 | 10.8 |
| 2004 | 32,439 | 293,191,511 | 11.1 |
| 2005 | 32,637 | 295,895,897 | 11.0 |
| 2006 | 33,300 | 298,754,819 | 11.2 |
| 2007 | 34,598 | 301,290,332 | 11.5 |
| Total | 256,085 | 2,335,760,556 | 11.0 |
| 2000-2007, United States, Suicide Deaths and Rates per 100,000 Population Ages 45 to 54 | |||
| Year | Number of Suicide Deaths | Population | Rate |
| 2000 | 5,437 | 37,677,952 | 14.4 |
| 2001 | 5,942 | 39,371,276 | 15.1 |
| 2002 | 6,308 | 39,966,386 | 15.8 |
| 2003 | 6,481 | 40,786,262 | 15.9 |
| 2004 | 6,906 | 41,588,256 | 16.6 |
| 2005 | 6,991 | 42,447,496 | 16.5 |
| 2006 | 7,426 | 43,226,850 | 17.2 |
| 2007 | 7,778 | 43,871,845 | 17.7 |
| Total | 53,269 | 328,936,323 | 16.2 |
| 2000-2007, United States, Suicide Deaths and Rates per 100,000 Population Ages 55 to 64 | |||
| Year | Number of Suicide Deaths | Population | Rate |
| 2000 | 2,945 | 24,274,684 | 12.1 |
| 2001 | 3,317 | 25,037,956 | 13.3 |
| 2002 | 3,618 | 26,582,151 | 13.6 |
| 2003 | 3,843 | 27,826,489 | 13.8 |
| 2004 | 4,011 | 29,061,501 | 13.8 |
| 2005 | 4,210 | 30,333,538 | 13.9 |
| 2006 | 4,583 | 31,558,030 | 14.5 |
| 2007 | 5,069 | 32,725,938 | 15.5 |
| Total | 31,596 | 227,400,287 | 13.8 |
Figures from the National Center for Health Statistics.
