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FAQ Regarding Suicide
How many
people attempt suicide each year in the
Approximately 750,000
Is it true
that more people die by suicide than by homicide?
Yes. More people die by suicide than by homicide
Do most
people who attempt suicide actually die by suicide?
No, it is estimated that 1 person out of 25 who attempt suicide die
by suicide
If I have
thoughts of suicide am I abnormal?
No, thoughts of suicide are extremely common. But if you have
thoughts of suicide you should seek treatment immediately.
Are most
people who commit suicide weak?
No, most people who die by suicide are very strong, but they have
untreated depression.
Do young
people and children attempt or commit suicide?
YES. It is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 24,
and some children under the age of 10 also die by suicide.
Are women or
men at higher risk?
Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for men and the
16th leading cause for women. Almost 4 times as many men die
by suicide as women
Are some
Ethnic groups or Races at higher risk?
Of every 100,000 people in each of the following ethnic/racial
groups below, the following number died by suicide in 2004
Highest rates:
Non-Hispanic Whites – 12.9 per 100,000
American Indiana and
Lowest rates:
Non-Hispanic Blacks -5.3 per 100,000
Asian and Pacific Islanders – 5.8 per 100,000
Hispanics – 5.9 per 100,000
What about
the elderly population? Are they at a higher risk?
Of every 100,000 people ages 65 and older, 14.3 died by suicide in
2004. This figure is higher than the national average of 10.9 suicides
per 100,000 people in the general population. Non-Hispanic White men age
85 and older had an even higher rate with 17.8 suicide deaths per
100,000. So, yes the elderly are at a very high risk.
