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American Psychological Association. (2001, November 1). Suicide facts and figures. Monitor on Psychology, 32(10). https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov01/suicidefacts

  • 11.3 per 100,000, or 30,575 Americans, completed suicide in 1998.

  • More people die from suicide than from homicide. In 1998, there were 1.7 times as many suicides as homicides.

  • Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans.

  • Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females, but females are more likely to attempt suicide than males.

  • In 1998, white males accounted for 73 percent of all suicides. Together, white males and white females accounted for more than 90 percent of all suicides.

  • Between 1979 and 1992, suicide rates for Native Americans were 1.5 times the national average. Native American males ages 15 to 24 accounted for 64 percent of these suicides.

  • Three out of five suicides were completed with a firearm in 1998.

  • Suicide rates are highest among Americans aged 65 years and older. In 1998, men accounted for 83 percent of these suicides.

  • In 1998, people younger than 25 accounted for 15 percent of all suicides.

  • From 1952 to 1995, the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults nearly tripled.

  • From 1980 to 1997, the suicide rate among those ages 15 to 19 increased by 11 percent, and among youngsters 10 to 14 by 109 percent.

  • From 1980 to 1996, the suicide rate for African-American males ages 15 to 19 increased 105 percent.

  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24, after unintentional injury and homicide.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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