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Suicide

Suicide is a major public health problem in Utah. Suicide was the leading cause of injury-related death and the third leading cause of hospitalizations for all ages in Utah from 2008-2010. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Utah teens ages 15-19, and the 4th leading cause of death for Utah adults ages 20-64. On average,

  • 22 Utah teens ages 15-19 die from sucide each year.
  • Two Utah teens ages 15-19 are treated in the emergency department or hospitalized every day because of suicide attempts.
  • 319 Utah adults ages 20-64 die from suicide each year.
  • Eight Utahns 20-64 years of age are treated in the emergency department or hospitalized every day because of suicide attempts.
  • 35 Utahns 65 years and older die from suicide each year.
  • One Utahn 65 years or older is treated in the emergency department or hospitalized every week because of a suicide attempt.

Utah's suicide rate has been consistently higher than the U.S. rate for the last decade. A recent CDC study found that Utah had the highest prevalance of suicidal thoughts among adults in the U.S. In addition, Utah has the

  • 8th highest adult suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 12th highest teen suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 14th highest older adult suicide rate in the U.S.

Additional data on teen, adult, and older adult sucides in Utah can be found in the Teen Suicide in Utah, Adult Suicide in Utah, and Older Adult Suicide in Utah 2005-2009 fact sheets

Safety Tips

If you or someone you love has thought about or expressed suicidal thoughts, help is available.

  • Call for help. Help is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Call 1-800-273-TALK.
  • Take any threat of suicide seriously.
  • Do not leave the person alone.
  • Listen to and don’t judge anyone you think may be in trouble.
  • Take action. Remove guns or pills to prevent a suicide attempt.

Risk Factors for Suicide

There are many risk factors for suicide, including:

  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • History of depresion or mental illness
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Family history of suicide or violence
  • Easy access to lethal methods (such as guns or pills)
  • Stressful life event or loss
  • Relationship or school problems
  • Physical illness
  • Feeling alone or hopelessness
  • Relational, social, work, or financial loss

Media Guidelines for Reporting on Suicides