OutlineSuicidal behavior among childrenSuicidal behavior among adolescents and

young adultsSuicidal behavior in middle adulthoodSuicidal behavior in late adulthood

Suicidal Behavior in ChildhoodIn 2010, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of

death for ages 10-14.Suicide rate (per 100,000) by age for 2010

0 – 5 years: 0 (no deaths reported)6 – 10 years: 0.07 (14 deaths)11 – 15 years: 2.10 (435 deaths)Average rate in US: 12.4

Adolescents and Young AdultsSuicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for

those 15-24 and 2nd for those age 25-34Suicide rate (per 100,000) in 2010

16 – 20 years: 8.99 (2,007 deaths)21 – 24 years: 14.17 (2,418 deaths)25 – 34 years: 13.97 (5,735 deaths)Average rate in US: 12.4

Attempt to death ratio100-200:1

QuestionWhy do we hear so much about teen suicide

when the teen suicide rate is below average?Is it warranted?

Suicide in MidlifeSuicide is the 4th leading cause of death for

those age 35-44, 4th for 45-54, and 8th for 55-64

Midlife is the peak of suicidal behaviorSuicide rates (per 100,000) in 2010

35 – 44 years: 16.00 (6,571 deaths)45 – 54 years: 19.55 (8,799 deaths)55 – 64 years: 17.50 (6,384 deaths)Average for all ages: 12.4

Suicide Trends

Comparing Mid and Late LifeSuicide rates (per 100,000) in 2010

35 – 44 years: 16.00 (6,571 deaths)45 – 54 years: 19.55 (8,799 deaths)55 – 64 years: 17.50 (6,384 deaths)65 – 84 years: 14.45 (5,026 deaths)

Men 26.8985 + years: 17.62 (968 deaths)

Men 47.33

Overall rate: 12.4

Suicide Rate by Age and Sex

Based on WISQARS 2007 data (www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars); rate per 100,000

Suicide in Late LifeSuicide not in the top 10 causes of deathOlder adult white men drive high suicide

ratesAttempt to death ratio

2-4:1Higher suicide intent, more lethal means

Older Adults (65+) More Likely to Use Firearm than Youth (15-24)

Slide Courtesy of Dr. Amy FiskeSlide Courtesy of Dr. Amy Fiske

Source: data from CDC/WISQARS; 2005; Young = 15-24, Older = 65+. Source: data from CDC/WISQARS; 2005; Young = 15-24, Older = 65+.

Females 15-24 Females 65+

Males 15-24 Males 65+

Firearm

Suffocation Suffocatio

n

Poisoning PoisoningFirearm

Poisoning PoisoningFirearm Firearm

Suffocation

Suffocation

Doctor VisitsMore suicide attempters than non-attempters

had visited their general practitioner within 2 weeks of their attemptUp t0 75% of older adults who died by suicide

visited a physician within a month of their death

4% were diagnosed with a mood disorder before their attempt, 57% were subsequent to their attempt.

What does this tell you?

Beliefs about agingThere are myths about aging that lead some

to believe that suicide is more understandable than it really is for older adults.“Once the quality of one’s life has long since

peaked and is fraught with physical and emotional pain, the wish to end one’s own life is somewhat understandable” Older adults have less depression High life satisfaction in older adults Much of the physical and emotional pain is

treatable