Resource Types: Fact Sheet/Issue Brief

This data brief examined the growth in the suicide rate between the years 1999 and 2017 for sex groups identifying as male and female, age groups 15–24, 25–44, and 45–64 and racial ethnic groups identifying as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) and Hispanic persons. 

The suicide rate among women Veterans is nearly twice that of their civilian peers. Sexual dysfunction associated with suicidal ideation is stronger among women experiencing military sexual assault. Special risk factors are associated with women’s reproductive cycles such as suicide risk during the perinatal, premenstrual and perimenopausal periods. While effective identification, assessment and treatment of mental health issues associated with sexual health can reduce suicide risk, research has shown that VA providers tend to underassess and underaddress these issues. This brief provides an overview of the problem and discusses ways in which providers can take these issues into account as they screen for, treat and open conversations about sexual health and suicide risk among their female patients. 

This issue brief reports on 2017 alcohol-and drug-induced fatalities and suicide which had reached the highest number ever recorded, more than 150,000 Americans, more than twice as many as in 1999. Data are provided by age group, sex group, state, drug type and suicide. The brief concludes with 10 key recommendations to provide a comprehensive approach at the national, state, and local levels to counter the alcohol, drug, and suicide problems.

This resource helps schools support students and families in the aftermath of violence and trauma by providing strategies for readiness, response, and recovery. The focus is on the after-effects of traumatic events such as school shootings or suicides and how things like complicated grief and survivors’ guilt can place students at risk for suicide. Resources are provided for preventing suicide and building resilience. The importance of cultural considerations is also discussed.

This resource provides guidance on how to cope with one’s own emotions after the suicide death of a friend or family member, how to talk to children and teens about a suicide and how schools should safely handle communicating about a suicide death in the school community. Help resources are also provided.

This tip sheet provides direction to parents to monitor their children’s use of social media by being aware of popular apps, websites and accounts among youth. Both providers and parents should ask youth about their exposure to violence, especially, self-directed violence and suicide, on social media. If needed, they should consult with a mental health expert. Some parental control tools are also listed. 

This trend analysis examines differences in suicide percentages and rates by sex, age group and level of urbanization. While nearly all groups show an increased suicides over time, those over 75 had a much lower rate in 2017 than they did in 1999.  

This data brief describes trends in suicide deaths by sex, age group and means of suicide from the years 2000-2016. During that period the suicide rate for males increased by 21% while the rate for females showed a much higher increase at 50%. Data were obtained from the National Vital Statistics System.