STATISTICAL FACTS
According to World Health Organization, (WHO), 3.8% of the US population suffer from depression, which is approximately 280,000 people. Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year, which is roughly 1 person every 40 seconds. Suicide Awareness and Education Voices, (SAVE), reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between 15-24 years old, while WHO reports that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death amongst people 15-29 years of age.
In 2020, SAVE reported that 45,979 Americans died by suicide. The highest suicide rates in the US, per 100,000 are white males which make up 25.4%. Native Americans/Alaska Natives account for 14.6% and Black males result at 12.6%. Every day, approximately 125 Americans die by suicide; there is one suicide death for every 25 suicide attempts made. Roughly, there are 1,149,475 annual attempts in the US, which equates to one attempt every 27.5 seconds.
In the US, one male dies by suicide every 14.4 minutes and one female dies by suicide every 55.9 minutes. There are 3.9 male deaths by suicide for each female death by suicide; likewise, there are 3 female attempts for each male attempt. Firearm suicides are the most common for both male and female, with poisoning being the second most common method amongst females.
In 2020, older adults made up 16.9% of the population, but accounted for 19.9% of suicides. In 2019, middle aged people accounted for 25.1% of the population, but made up 31.3% of suicides. In 2020, young people made up 12.9% of the population but was recorded as 13.2% of death by suicide.
Bisexual, gay, and lesbian kids are three times more likely than a straight kid to attempt suicide at some point in their life. African American, Latino, Asian and Native American people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual attempt suicide at an especially high rate. Of trans adults, 41% reported that they attempted suicide.
Young adults who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual that come from non-supporting families are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those whose families accept them. Each time a member from the LGBTQ community is a victim of physical or verbal abuse, they are 2.5 times more likely to hurt themselves.
Only half of Americans who experience an episode of major depression seek treatment. 80%-90% of people who sought treatment are successfully in therapy or on medication. Each year, 275,000 people become suicide survivors.
Suicide is a global issue that affects people of any class, rank, or race. It isn’t limited to sexual orientation or gender identity, its ageless and doesn’t discriminate ethnicities. People have to begin considering the status of their Mental Health. Mental health should be prioritized because our lives literally depend on it.
For More on Statistical Facts:
https://queeramnesty.ch/docs/AFSP-Williams-Suicide-Report-Final.pdf
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2704490