Suicide Rate Continues to Climb Nationally; CT Has 6th Lowest Rate Among States

More than 47,000 people nationwide died from suicide in 2017 – 1 death every 11 minutes. That year, 1.4 million adults attempted suicide. Compared with rates in 1999, suicide rates in 2017 were higher for males and females in all age groups from 10 to 74 years. From 1999 through 2017, the age-adjusted suicide rate increased 33% from 10.5 to 14.0 per 100,000 population.

Connecticut’s suicide rate of 10.46 was among the sixth lowest in the nation, based on 2017 data, the most recent state-by-state comparison available. There were 405 suicide deaths in Connecticut.  The states with the lowest suicide rates include New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and California, according to data analyzed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Since 2008, suicide has ranked as the 10th leading cause of death for all ages in the United States. In 2016, suicide became the second leading cause of death for ages 10–34 and the fourth leading cause for ages 35–54. That year, nearly 45,000 persons died by suicide in the United States.

Mental health conditions are one of several contributors to suicide.  During 1999–2016, suicide rates increased in nearly every state, including greater than 30% increases in 25 states. 2015 data from 27 states indicate 54% of suicide decedents were not known to have mental health conditions, according to the CDC. Relationship, substance use, health, and job or financial problems are among the other circumstances contributing to suicide.

Nationally, the suicide rate among persons aged 10–24 was stable from 2000 to 2007, and then increased 56% between 2007 (6.8 per 100,000) and 2017 (10.6). The pace of increase for suicide was greater from 2013 to 2017 (7% annually, on average) than from 2007 to 2013 (3% annually). CDC data also indicate that the suicide rate for persons aged 10–14 declined from 2000 (1.5) to 2007 (0.9), and then nearly tripled from 2007 to 2017 (2.5).

In Connecticut, more than three times as many people died by suicide in 2017 than in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents. Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death among those ages 15-34, 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-54, and 8th leading cause of death for ages 55-64.  Overall, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in Connecticut.