Suicide Statistics

 A fact-sheet of both national and international statistics relating to suicide 

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. It is the only cause of death in this country that is on the rise.

  • Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have a mental disorder at the time of their death; around the world this disorder is most commonly depression.  

  • One million people die every year from suicide, which amounts to one person taking their own life every forty seconds. 

  • More people die by suicide each year than have died in all wars combined.

  • The United States is in middle of the pack in terms of suicide rate by country. 

  • For the first time since 2008, suicide in the Army exceeds the rate of civilian suicide, and the trend of Army suicide is rising.

  • For veterans, the highest rate of death by suicide is immediately following discharge.