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Reduce the suicide rate — MHMD‑01 Infographic

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

Status: Little or no detectable change

  Little or no detectable change

Most Recent Data:
14.2 suicides per 100,000 population (2022) *

Target:
12.8 per 100,000 *

Desired Direction:
Decrease desired

Baseline:
14.2 suicides per 100,000 population occurred in 2018 *

Age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population.

Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. While anyone can experience suicide risk, some populations — including people living in rural areas — experience more negative social conditions and have higher rates of suicide or suicide attempts than the general U.S. population. Strategies like providing remote and rapid access to help, like mental health care and crisis support, can promote suicide prevention.

In 2019, there were 13.9 suicides per 100,000 population. *


Disparities in suicide rates by geographic location * 

In 2019, people living in non-metropolitan areas had the higher group rate of suicide (18.9 per 100,000 population). People living in metropolitan areas (reference group) had the lower group rate (13.2 per 100,000 population).

The suicide rate among people living in non-metropolitan areas was 43.4 percent higher than the rate among people living in metropolitan areas (maximal rate ratio = 1.434). The difference between the higher and lower group rates was 5.7 suicides per 100,000 population (maximal rate difference).

Learn about how we calculate disparities data.