Know This
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Warning signs
Warning Signs of Someone Considering Suicide
Any one of these signs does not necessarily mean the person is considering suicide, but several of these symptoms may signal a need for help:
Verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me.” or “Maybe I won’t be around”
Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness
Previous suicide attempts
Daring or risk-taking behavior
Personality changes
Depression
Giving away prized possessions
Lack of interest in future plans
Remember: Eight out of ten people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. People who talk about suicide, threaten suicide, or call suicide crisis centers are 30 times more likely than average to attempt suicide.
Facts
General Statistics
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Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC)
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Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. (NAMI)
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80% -90% of adolescents that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication. (TADS study)
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An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide survivors (AAS).
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There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC)
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There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts in the elderly.
Get
Help
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
CALL OR TEXT 988
You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor.
You can also connect 24/7 to a crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741741.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1 (800) 273-8255
24-Hour Suicide Crisis Line
Toll-free: 1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)
Text “START” to 741741
Serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties
San Francisco Suicide Prevention
CRISIS TEXT LINE
24/7 Confidential Support, Text HOME to 741741
Other 24-Hour Hotlines
24/7 Crisis Line: Call (415) 781-0500
HIV Nightline: Local (415) 434-2437
HIV Nightline: 1-800-273-2437
TTY Line: (415) 227-0245
Drug Info Line: (415) 362-3400
Relapse Line: (415) 834-1144
Emergency
Dial 911
The Impact
Suicide and suicide attempts have profound emotional, physical, and economic impacts. Survivors of suicide attempts may endure serious injuries with lasting effects on their health, as well as challenges such as depression and other mental health conditions.
The effects extend far beyond the individual, deeply impacting the well-being of friends, loved ones, colleagues, and communities. When someone dies by suicide, those left behind often face intense and prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, and symptoms of depression or anxiety. In some cases, they may even experience suicidal thoughts themselves.
The economic burden of suicide is significant. In 2020 alone, the combined costs of suicide and nonfatal self-harm exceeded $500 billion, accounting for medical expenses, lost productivity, and the diminished quality and value of life.
Other People Who Can Help
The Trevor Project
LGBTQ+ Resources, Access to Counselors & Community
Read and share Trevor’s Resource Center: The Resource Center has educational articles on a wide range of topics, such as Facts About Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Young People, the Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People, and How to Signal You are an Ally in a Hostile Environment. Read about these topics and more at the Resource Center.
For More Information
We offer a new book published by Mango Publishing's new imprint, Books that Save Lives:
If you are helping someone through the darkness or you
find yourself there; this book is a community of help.
Please reach out if you need a copy or use the QR code.
CDC Data
According to the most current data available from the Centers for Disease Control Suicide rates increased 30% between 2000–2018, and declined in 2019 and 2020. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with 45,979 deaths in 2020. This is about 1 death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide.
Suicide affects all ages. In 2020, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
Some groups have higher suicide rates than others. By race/ethnicity, the groups with the highest rates were non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White populations. Other Americans with higher than-average rates of suicide are veterans, people who live in rural areas, and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction. Young people who identify as queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual or other have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared to their peers who identify as heterosexual.
