Statistics
about suicide can help researchers and non-researchers alike
to better understand suicide as a national and global problem.
While statistics most often reflect trends that apply
to many suicidal persons and do not take into consideration,
the specific social and environmental factors of a single
individual, they provide powerful insights into suicidal behavior
and how suicide impacts individuals, communities, and countries.
For
example, these statistics describe the “epidemic of suicide”
in the United States:
Suicide took the
lives of 30,622 Americans in 2001.
More people die
from suicide than from homicide.
In 2001,
suicide was the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans,
and the third leading cause of death for young people aged 10-24
(Reference 1).
Electronic,
print, and multimedia resources are provided to help you to
find authoritative information on Statistics about suicide and
suicide prevention. These resources are available from such
national organizations as The National Institute of Mental Health
as well as professional organizations, not-for-profit organizations,
and educational institutions.
Internet
Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention: National Center for
Health Statistics (NCHS)
The
NCHS is the United States' principal health statistics agency.
The NCHS compiles statistical information to guide
actions and policies to improve the health of American people.
The
NCHS provides suicide statistics and fact sheets.
The
following NCHS Web page provides statistics on suicide:
