December 21, 2010 |
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Combined 2008 and 2009 data indicate that an estimated 8.4 million adults (3.7 percent of the adult population) had thought seriously about committing suicide in the past year, 2.3 million (1.0 percent) had made a suicide plan in the past year, and 1.1 million (0.5 percent) attempted suicide in the past year. There were no statistically significant changes in any of these suicide-related measures from 2008 to 2009 (Figure 1).
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|
Seriously Thought about Committing Suicide |
3.7% | 3.7% |
Made Any Suicide Plans | 1.0% | 1.0% |
Attempted Suicide | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Source: 2008 and 2009 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
In the combined data for 2008 and 2009, rates of thinking seriously about committing suicide, making suicide plans, and attempting suicide in the past year were higher among young adults aged 18 to 25 than among adults aged 26 to 49 and those aged 50 or older (Figure 2). For example, 6.4 percent of adults aged 18 to 25 had thought seriously about committing suicide in the past year compared with 4.1 percent of adults aged 26 to 49 and 2.3 percent of adults aged 50 or older. The rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts were slightly higher among females than among males (Figure 3). The rates of past year thinking seriously about committing suicide, making plans for suicide, and attempting suicide were higher among adults who were unemployed than among those in all other employment categories (Figure 4).
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors | Aged 18 to 25 |
Aged 26 to 49 |
Aged 50 or Older |
---|---|---|---|
Seriously Thought about Committing Suicide |
6.4% | 4.1% | 2.3% |
Made Any Suicide Plans | 1.9% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
Attempted Suicide | 1.2% | 0.5% | 0.2% |
Source: 2008 and 2009 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
Seriously Thought about Committing Suicide |
3.5% | 3.9% |
Made Any Suicide Plans | 1.0% | 1.0% |
Attempted Suicide | 0.4% | 0.5% |
Source: 2008 and 2009 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors | Employed Full Time |
Employed Part Time |
Unemployed | Other* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seriously Thought about Committing Suicide |
3.1% | 4.5% | 6.5% | 3.9% |
Made Any Suicide Plans | 0.7% | 1.3% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
Attempted Suicide | 0.3% | 0.6% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
* The "other" employment category includes retired persons, disabled persons, homemakers, students, or other persons not in the labor force. Source: 2008 and 2009 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Of the adults who attempted suicide in the past year, 61.2 percent received medical attention for their suicide attempt, and 43.9 percent stayed overnight or longer in a hospital for their suicide attempt. Among adults who attempted suicide, adults aged 26 or older were about twice as likely as young adults aged 18 to 25 to have received medical attention (74.4 vs. 37.2 percent) or to have stayed in the hospital (54.3 vs. 25.4 percent) for their suicide attempt (Figure 5).
Receipt of Medical Attention | Aged 18 to 25 |
Aged 26 or Older |
---|---|---|
Received Medical Attention | 37.2% | 74.4% |
Hospitalized at Least Overnight | 25.4% | 54.3% |
Source: 2008 and 2009 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Preventing suicide and addressing the health care needs of persons at risk for suicidal behavior require public health information-sharing efforts that not only highlight effective preventive interventions, but also attempt to identify and target risk factors, such as unemployment and young adulthood, that are associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Further research on these and other risk factors, such as mental illness and substance use disorders, is needed to help guide the further development of screening tools and prevention and intervention programs.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The combined 2008 and 2009 data used in this report are based on information obtained from 92,264 persons aged 18 or older. The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through face-to-face interviews at their place of residence. The NSDUH Report is prepared by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), SAMHSA, and by RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. (RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.) Information on the most recent NSDUH is available in the following publication: Office of Applied Studies. (2009). Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National findings (HHS Publication No. SMA 09-4434, NSDUH Series H-36). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also available online: http://oas.samhsa.gov. |
The NSDUH Report is published periodically by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (formerly the Office of Applied Studies), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Additional copies of this report or other reports from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality are available online: http://oas.samhsa.gov. Citation of the source is appreciated. For questions about this report, please e-mail: shortreports@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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This page was last updated on May 18, 2010. |
SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.
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