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Home , Suicide, Suicide attempt

Alabama Fact Sheet

Nationally, suicide is the 10th leading cause of and the 2nd leading for and young adults between the ages of 10-24 years. A person dies by suicide every 12 minutes in the . Every day, over 120 Americans take their own lives. There are over one million annual attempts in the United States, which translates to one attempt every 31 seconds. For each suicide, it is estimated that at least 6 other people are intimately affected.

Suicide Rates in U.S. and Alabama, 1970-Present

18 16.2 16 14 12 13.9 10 8 6 4 Rate per per 100,000 Rate US AL 2 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Alabama Center for Health Statistics, 2017

The 2016 suicide rate in Alabama was 16.2 per 100,000 population. Alabama has shown a pattern of higher rates than the U.S. national average since 1990, including the most recently available national rate of 13.9 (2016). It was the 11th leading cause of death in Alabama with 788 citizens lost to suicide in 2016, as compared to 543 due to . Ninety-eight youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24 died by suicide in 2016 with 59 of those deaths in young people ages 20-24. Suicide rates are highest among the White, non- Hispanic population, particularly males. Of the 788 in Alabama, 712 were completed among the White, non-Hispanic population. It is the seventh leading cause of death among White males. The number of suicides among older adults is low due to death from other causes. However, suicide rates are relatively high particularly among White males age 85 and over. Alabama Suicides by Age Group, 2016

100 87 90 77 80 68 71 70 59 62 59 57 60 52 48 50 37 40 33 31 30 22 17 20 6 10 0 Actual Number of Deaths

Alabama Center for Health Statistics, 2017 Age Group

*The state of Alabama abides by the mandate of the World Health Organization which states that any death of a child under the age of 10

cannot be declared a suicide. 2016 Alabama Suicide Rates by Age, Race, and Sex

White Male White Female Black and Other Male Black and Other Female 70 60 50 40 30 20

Rate per per 100,000 Rate 10 0 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+ Age Group Alabama Center for Health Statistics, 2017

2016 Alabama Suicide by Method Myths About Suicide: • No one can stop a suicide.

Poisoning Fact: If a young person gets the help they need, they are 4% less likely to be suicidal again. • Confronting a person about suicide will only make 8% them angry and increase the risk of suicide. 70% Fact: Asking about suicide lowers anxiety, opens up of suicides in 18% Firearm communication, and reduces risk of impulsive acts. • Suicidal people keep their plans to themselves. Alabama are Other 70% Fact: Most suicidal people communicate their intent at by firearms some point near their attempt. • Those who talk about suicide don’t do it. Fact: People who talk about suicide may try or even Alabama has a higher percentage of suicides by complete it. firearms (70%) than the U.S. average of 50%. This is • Once a person decides to complete suicide, there is

true for both women (65%) and men (71%). The nothing anyone can do to stop them. Fact: Suicide is one of the most preventable kinds of second most common method is by hanging or death. suffocation (18%). Suicide by (8%) is mostly • Most suicides happen during the holidays. by use of medication. Fact: There are seasonal variations in suicide rates.

Risk Factors: How Can I Help? • Previous  Ask “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” • Current talk of suicide or making a plan  Listen to their problems • Strong wish to die or preoccupied with death  Stay with them until they get help or are in a safe place • Giving away prized possessions  Lock up firearms and prescription drugs •  Do not tell them everything is going to be okay  • Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless Do not promise to keep it a secret  Let them know help is available • or drug abuse

• Recent attempt by friend or family member

• Mental Illness For more information: • Alabama Department of Public Health Protective Factors: www.alabamapublichealth.gov/suicide Alabama and Resource Coalition • Network of family or friends () www.asparc.org • Religiosity or Spirituality American Association of • Marital Status www.suicideology.org • Reduced access to lethal means American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org Updated by Danita Crear, DrPH TOLLFREE HOTLINE NUMBER Alabama Department of Public Health 1-800-273-TALK (8255) June 28, 2018 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)