Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in 33 Metropolitan Statistical Areas Update: 2013 to 2015

Excerpt

Background: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in 2015 and is a major public health problem in the United States. In addition to information on the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicide plans and attempts for states and areas within states, data on metropolitan statistical areas provide additional insights state and local public health authorities better understand and effectively serve their communities. Method: This report uses data combined from the 2013 to 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to estimate past year serious suicidal thoughts, suicide plans and suicide attempts among adults aged 18 or older. Results: About 9.5 million adults aged 18 or older seriously thought about trying to kill themselves in the past year, representing 4.0 percent of the adult population. About 2.7 million adults made any suicide plans in the past year, corresponding to 1.1 percent of the adult population. About 1.3 million or 0.5 percent of adults reported trying to kill themselves in the past year. Compared to the national averages, no metropolitan statistical areas had significantly higher percentages of adults who had serious thoughts about suicide, made any suicide plans, or attempted suicide in the past year. Conclusion: This report provides updated estimates for suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts among adults aged 18 or older in 33 metropolitan statistical areas. Highlighting the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts in metropolitan areas may provide policymakers information to help inform their assessments of suicide ideation and other suicide behaviors in their communities.