SHADAC Staff

p 612.624.4802
e shadac@umn.edu

October 21st Webinar - Rising Suicide Rates: Examining Trends and Variations through State-level Data

Over the past two decades, the rise in suicide death rates has continued along an accelerating climb. According to new vital statistics data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States suicide rate reached another historic high of 14.2 per 100,000 people in 2018, up from 14.0 in the previous year. 

This increase in suicide deaths has not followed a consistent trend; rather, growth has accelerated more recently. From 2000 to 2009 the suicide death rate grew by 13 percent, but from 2009 to 2018 the rate grew by 21 percent. While these trends predate the COVID-19 pandemic, early evidence has indicated this crisis is taking a significant toll on mental health, and these data therefore represent an important baseline from which the effects of the pandemic will be measured.

During the webinar, SHADAC Research Fellow Carrie Au-Yeung used national and state-level data on suicide deaths to examine this growing public health issue, highlighting concerning trends and variations in suicide deaths by geographic locations such as regions, states, and metropolitan areas, as well as by specific subpopulation groups such as age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Ms. Au-Yeung was also joined by SHADAC Research Fellow Robert Hest, who explained how to access and use the data on suicide deaths through SHADAC’s State Health Compare website. Senior Research Fellow Colin Planalp also joined the webinar for a question and discussion session following the presentation.

Related Resources
​Suicide Rates on the Rise: Examining Continuing Trends and Variation across the Nation and in the States from 2000 to 2018 (Briefs)
U.S. Suicide Death Rate Reached Record High in 2018: SHADAC Briefs Examine the Numbers among Subgroups and States 
State Health Compare Data Offer Baseline for Measuring Pandemic's Impact on Suicide, Drug Overdose Death Rates

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. For more suicide prevention resources, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/