What Is Suicide?

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing your own death. It is a leading cause of death in the United States and can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and income statuses. A suicide attempt occurs when someone makes an effort to kill oneself but does not die.

Though certain people are at greater risk of suicide, it can be difficult to know who will act upon these thoughts and feelings (referred to as suicidal ideation). This is why it is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide, including talking about death, acting recklessly, and giving away personal possessions.

This article offers facts about suicide, including the risk factors and various "red flags" to watch out for. It also offers guidance on suicide prevention and what to do if someone has suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Facts About Suicide

Suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. It is a growing public health concern with rates increasing steadily since 2000.

Among the key statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• A total of 48,183 suicides were reported in 2021, translating to one suicide every 11 minutes.
• An estimated 660,000 emergency room visits in 2021 were attributed to self-harm injuries.
• Among people 10 to 64, suicide is today the ninth leading cause of death.
• Among people ages 10 to 14 and 20 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death.
• Suicide rates have increased by roughly 36% between 2000 and 2021.
• Over 12.3 million people have had serious thoughts about suicide.
• Among those with suicidal ideation, around 3.5 million have made a suicide plan and 1.7 have made a suicide attempt.

Suicides mainly involve self-inflicted firearm wounds, followed by suffocation suicides and poisoning suicides.

Globally, around 800,000 people die by suicide each year.

Who Is at Risk of Suicide?

Suicide can affect anyone, and there is no way to predict who may suddenly decide to act upon suicidal thoughts and feelings. While some people will think about and plan their suicide over a long period, others may act impulsively during moments of extreme distress or desperation.

What this means is that you should never "shrug off" the signs of suicide because someone is "not the type" to do so. Suicide can affect anyone.

Social Risk Factors

Although suicide can affect the young and old and the rich and poor alike, certain population groups are at higher risk. According to the CDC, these include:

• People of color
• Tribal people (particularly American Indian/Alaska Native people)
• Military veterans
• Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual 
• People who work in low-paying construction and mining jobs
• People who live in rural areas

These population groups are disproportionately affected due to social factors like racism, discrimination, homophobia, economic hardship, poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and disparities in access to healthcare (including mental healthcare).

Collectively, these social factors predispose certain groups to suicide unless the appropriate interventions are made.

Individual Risk Factors

Although anyone can be at risk of suicide, there are distinguishing characteristics for those who are at greatest risk. These include:

• A previous suicide attempt
• A history of depression and other mental illnesses
• A history of impulsive or aggressive behaviors
• A current or prior history of childhood trauma
• Having experienced the suicide of a spouse or family member
• Being a victim of violence or being a violence perpetrator
• Having a serious illness, including chronic pain
• Substance use, including alcohol and recreational drugs
• Serious criminal or legal problems
• Financial difficulty or job loss
• Social isolation and loneliness
• A sense of hopelessness

Signs of Suicidal Behaviors

Suicide is not merely about killing oneself. Rather, it is a means of escape from psychological and/or physical pain when a person believes there are no other options.

It may not always be easy to tell when someone is thinking about suicide. Sometimes a person may isolate themselves, conceal their emotions, or act like everything is OK when in reality they are struggling. And though they seem OK or deny being suicidal, they could still very much be at risk.

Sometimes a person will talk about suicide in a way that sounds like they are joking. Talking about suicide is a "red flag" you should never ignore, even if a person is smiling and seems OK.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are 14 warning signs of suicide you should always take seriously:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
• Having extreme mood swings, including sadness, anxiety, agitation, or rage
• Exhibiting or describing "unbearable" emotional or physical pain
• Taking dangerous risks, such as driving fast (often a way to "practice" suicide)
  
• Eating or sleeping excessively or not at all
• Using drugs or alcohol excessively
  
• Withdrawing from loved ones physically or emotionally
• Visiting friends as if to say goodbye
• Giving away important personal items
• Deciding suddenly to make a will
• Researching ways to die
  

Preventing Suicide

One myth about suicide is that if a person wants to die, there is no way to stop it. In fact, there are many ways to help people avoid suicide; they often just need to know what their options are and that there are people who are more than willing to help.

According to the CDC, certain factors can protect against suicidal thoughts and actions:

• Feeling support from partners, friends, and family
• Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions
• Being reminded about reasons to live (such as family, friends, pets, etc.)
• Being connected to the appropriate mental healthcare

This is why it is important to intervene if a persons show any signs of suicidal ideation. Although they may deny being suicidal, an intervention shows them that there are people available for support. It also offers them the "next steps" if they admit to being suicidal.

Emergency Response

People who are at immediate risk of harming themselves should be taken to the hospital. Do not hesitate to call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline for help with the intervention. Never leave a suicidal person alone.

If the risk of suicide is high and no other options are available, actions can be taken to detain them in a mental care facility until the crisis has passed.

A short-term emergency detention can be requested by anyone who has witnessed or has evidence of a suicide attempt, including friends, family, or the police. The process varies by state but usually involves a medical review to support the detention order.

Urgent Response

People who are willing to accept your help should be connected to a licensed mental health professional without delay. Although the person may seem cooperative, it is important to act immediately and avoid delays that could give the person a chance to rethink their decision.

With the appropriate response, a person can get through the immediate crisis and start working with a therapist to build the coping skills needed to avoid future crises. Along with professional treatment, steps should be taken to keep guns, poisons, and other means of suicide out of reach.

Talking to the person is helpful. Using words like "suicide" and "death" signals that they can be honest about their feelings and bring up scary and stigmatized topics. This type of supportive listening should always be provided in addition to—not as a replacement for—professional treatment.

Summary

Suicide can affect anyone. Signs include talking about death, giving away personal belongings, feeling like you're a burden, and withdrawing emotionally. It is important to act immediately if there are signs of suicide, even if the person denies being suicidal. In an emergency, dial 988 to speak with a trained counselor who can connect you with the appropriate mental health services.