Suicide Fact Sheet
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Thank you for exploring our fact sheet series. To learn more about substance use and mental health, check out our other fact sheets. To find local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides. For a variety of national and state-focused resources, please visit our Helplines & Practical Tools page.
Who is at Risk?
Suicide can impact anyone, regardless of their age or background.1
That said, some populations are disproportionally impacted by suicide including:
- Men
- people living in rural areas
- Veterans
- LGBTQIA+ individuals
- tribal populations
- non-Hispanic white populations
- people with disabilities
- middle-aged adults2, 3
There are many different suicide risk factors including:
- Mental health challenges
- substance use disorders
- isolation
- legal problems
- financial problems
- work problems
- job loss
- trauma
- adverse childhood experiences
- bullying
- relationship problems
- sexual violence
- family history of suicide1, 14
Facts & Statistics
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death nationally and the 8th leading cause of death in Oregon3, 4
In 2020, almost 46,000 people died by suicide nationally, which is equivalent to 1 death every 11 minutes5
In Oregon, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those under the age of 256
Warning Signs
- A sudden change in behavior8
- Talking about feeling hopeless or trapped, wanting to die, or being a burden7
- Searching for information about ways to die7
- Increasing use of substances7
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves from others7
- Behaving recklessly, feeling anxious or unsettled, or experiencing extreme mood swings7
- Changes in sleep schedule or food consumption8
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye to family/friends8
Prevention
Suicide prevention is possible.
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has complied the following evidence-based recommendations:
- Strengthen economic supports (e.g., improving financial security)9
- Improve access and delivery of care (e.g., improving access to mental health care in underserviced areas)9
- Create protective environments (e.g., promoting safe storage for medications and firearms to reduce access to lethal means)9
- Promote connection (e.g., community engagement activities)9
- Teach problem-solving and positive coping skills (e.g., programs that students how/where to seek help)9
- Identify and support those at risk (e.g., Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training)9, 10
- Harm reduction and future risk prevention (e.g., de-stigmatizing how we talk about suicide and including prevention resources when discussing suicide)9
If you are concerned about someone, follow these steps:
Ask
Asking if someone is thinking about suicide opens a dialogue. It is important to underline that research has shown that asking does not increase suicidal thoughts or suicide11
Be there
This could include things like actively listening, being physically present, or other forms of support11
Keep them safe
Establish immediate safety and put time and distance between the person and an indicated method11
Help them connect
Help connect the person ongoing supports to create a safety net11
Follow-up
Keep checking-in with the person. This could be in person, via text, phone, etc11
Stigma
Stigma remains a big challenge for suicide prevention and the language we use to talk about suicide can contribute to this stigmatization.12
To combat stigma, try using de-stigmatizing language that does not place blame or perpetuate harmful stereotypes13:
INSTEAD OF: | TRY SAYING: |
---|---|
Committed/successful suicide | Died by suicide |
Failed/unsuccessful suicide | Suicide attempt |
Threatened suicide | Disclosed suicidal thoughts/behaviors |
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
24/7 confidential support for people in crisis as well as their families and friends.
988 or 1-800-273-8255 or 1-888-628-9454 (Español)
For teletypewriter (TTY) services: dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255
CDC Suicide Prevention Resources
The CDC's Suicide Prevention Resources provide information about relevant publications, data sources, and general resources.
SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center
SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides information, research, toolkits, and other resources.
Coast to Forest Resource List
A comprehensive list of resources in Oregon, organized by county.
#BeThe1To
#BeThe1To is a suicide prevention campaign by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The campaign provides resources an action steps to help prevent suicide
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a suicide prevention training that covers suicide warning signs and crisis response
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges.
References
- Risk and Protective Factors
- Disparities in Suicide
- America’s Health Ranking Annual Report: Suicide
- National Center for Health Statistics: Oregon
- Facts About Suicide
- Youth Suicide Publications and Resources
- We Can All Prevent Suicide
- Warning Signs of Suicide
- Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policies, Programs, and Practice
- Question. Persuade. Refer.
- How and Why the 5 Steps Can Help
- What is the stigma behind suicide?
- Risk and Protective Factors
Acknowledgments
This fact sheet was developed by the Oregon State University Coast to Forest team, a collaboration of the College of Health, OSU Center for Health Innovation and OSU Extension Service Family & Community Health program. We would like to thank the H 310 Health Field Experience students for their contributions.
For more information and to explore local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides.