Suicide and Serious Mental Illness

This bar graph presents the current mental health status of suicide decedents in 46 U.S. states by gender. An equal percentage of male and female decedents experienced current depressed mood. Compared to male decedents, a greater percentage of female decedents was identified as having a current mental health problem. Higher current treatment for mental illness was reported for females than for males.¹

This bar graph presents the mental health and suicide history of suicide decedents in 46 U.S. states by gender. Compared to male decedents, a greater percentage of female decedents had ever been treated for a mental health problem. Female decedents also had a higher percentage history of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.¹

This bar graph presents substance abuse and dependence among suicide decedents in 46 U.S. states by gender. Compared to female decedents, a greater percentage of male decedents was identified as having current alcohol dependence. A slightly lower percentage of male decedents was identified as having a current other substance abuse problem compared to female decedents. Other addiction percentages were similar among genders.¹

Past-year suicide-related thoughts and behaviors are much more common among those with a past-year major depressive episode. Making a suicide plan is much more common among those with a past-year major depressive episode.²

Individuals with a past-year substance use disorder are over four times more likely to have serious thoughts of suicide in the past year than those who do not have a past year substance use disorder. Those with a past-year substance use disorder are almost four times as likely to make a suicide plan and almost four times as likely to attempt suicide than those who do not have a past-year substance use disorder.²

Individuals who report past-year serious psychological distress may be at substantially elevated risk for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (e.g., plans and attempts).²

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nvdrs.html
2. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2021). 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2020-nsduh-detailed-tables

The charts and graphs in this section are also available as a PowerPoint slide set. Feel free to use this slide set to deliver a presentation about the scope of the suicide problem.