Suicide and Serious Mental Illness

This bar graph presents the current mental health status of suicide decedents in 36 U.S. states by gender. A similar percentage of male and female decedents experienced current depressed mood. When compared to male decedents, a greater percentage of female decedents was identified as having a current mental health problem. For both males and females, the percentage of those in current mental health treatment was lower than the percentage experiencing a current mental health problem, indicating a possible gap between those who may have needed treatment and those who received it.¹

This bar graph presents the mental health and suicide history of suicide decedents in 36 U.S. states, by gender. When compared to male decedents, a greater percentage of female decedents had been treated for a mental health problem and had a history of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.¹

This bar graph presents substance abuse and dependence among suicide decedents in 36 U.S. states by gender. When compared to female decedents, a greater percentage of male decedents were identified as having current alcohol dependence. A slightly lower percentage of male decedents were identified as having a current other substance abuse problem, when compared to female decedents.¹

Past year suicide-related thoughts and behaviors are 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. They are at least six times more likely to have made a suicide plan or attempted suicide in the past year.²

Individuals who report past year serious psychological distress may be at substantially elevated risk for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors.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]. (2020). Available from URL: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nvdrs.html
2. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2019). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

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.