Suicide Awareness and Education

About Suicide
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Suicide remains the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with an average of 129 suicides occurring each day. Rates of suicide tend to be highest among adults between 45 and 65 years of age, with the second highest rate occurring in those 85 years and older.*

Suicide Facts and Figures*

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States
• In 2017, over 47,000 Americans reportedly died by suicide, 1,474 of those deaths occurred in Illinois
• On average there is about 1 suicide death every 11 minutes in the United States
• In Illinois there is on average 1 suicide death every 6 hours
• In 2017, it is estimated that 10.6 million Americans seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted to end their life
• Highest suicide rates in the US in 2017 was among adults between 45 and 65 years old
• In 2017, firearms accounted for 50.6 percent of all suicide deaths.

Risk Factors 

The more risk factors observed, the greater the risk. 

Health Factors

• Mental health conditions
• Substance abuse disorders
• Serious or chronic health conditions
• Chronic pain
• Limited access to healthcare
• Sleeping difficulties

Environmental Factors

• Stressful life events
• Financial or school difficulties 
• Access to lethal means 
• Exposure to suicide in the media or community 
• Being expelled from school/fired from job
• Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment
• Feeling embarrassed or humiliated in front of peers
• Victim of assault or bullying

​Historical Factors

• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide attempts or suicide loss
• History of self-harm
• Recent hospitalization

Warning Signs

Warning signs are clues that a crisis has already begun.

Behavioral

• Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills
• Impulsivity/increased risk-taking
• Giving away prized possessions
• Self-destructive acts (e.g., cutting)
• Unexplained anger, aggression and irritability
• Chronic truancy, running away

Mood

• Depression
• Loss of interest
• Rage
• Irritability
• Humiliation
• Anxiety
• Impulsivity
• Despair
• Sudden sense of peacefulness

* Information provided is based on the most recent 2017 CDC data.