1 in 100 Adults Made a Suicide Plan in the Past Year

A recent study could aid suicide prevention specialists in saving those who have thoughts of attempting suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that, in the past year, over 2.2 million adults made a plan for suicide, and more than 1 million attempted suicide.

The information was gathered from the 2008-2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The NSDUH gathered data from all parts of the country and compared the prevalence of suicidal plans and thoughts by states and regions. With this information, each suicide prevention program could tailor their program to the specific needs of their local community.

The study found that young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 were more likely to contemplate, plan and attempt suicide than adults aged 30 and older. It also revealed that suicidal thoughts were more prevalent in women than in men.

Results from states around the country revealed that suicide rates were highest in the Western United States, especially in the Rocky Mountain States. The highest prevalence of suicidal thought was in Utah. Westerners and Midwesterners were found more likely to contemplate suicide than Northeasterners and Southerners.

Out of the 1 million people who reported that they had attempted suicide in the past year, only 0.1 percent (the lowest) were in Delaware, and 1.5 percent (the highest) were in Georgia. While Georgia had the highest percent of attempted suicides, they had the lowest rate (0.1 percent) of adults who had a suicide plan. Rhode Island had the highest percent (2.8) of adults who had a suicide plan.

Statistics from each state and region shed light on the risk in certain communities and habits of those contemplating suicide. Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Linda C. Degutis, believes that the variations in the report can influence prevention programs in each community. One community may need more public education about suicide awareness, while others may need personal psychotherapy programs.

Every 15 minutes, an American takes their own life. People can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or accessing their website or the CDC website. With this latest state by state data, suicide prevention specialists have a clearer understanding about the people that need help. This information could be a guide in the best way to intervene in the lives of those planning on suicide and to help those who suffer from thoughts of suicide keep taking life one day at a time.