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Suicide

Suicide is a major public health problem in Utah. An average of 402 Utahns die from suicide and 4,152 Utahns attempt suicide each year. More Utahns are treated in an emergency department or hospitalized due to suicide attempts than are fatally injured. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Utah youth ages 10-17 and Utah young adults ages 18-24. Suicide is also the 4th leading cause of death for Utah adults ages 24-64. On average,

  • Two youth are treated for suicide attempts every day in Utah.
  • Three young adults are treated for suicide attempts every day in Utah.
  • Four adult women are treated for suicide attempts every day in Utah.
  • Three men are treated for suicide attempts every day in Utah.
  • One older adult is treated for a suicide attempt every week in Utah.

Men ages 25-64 account for more than half (53.2%) of all suicide deaths in Utah, followed by women ages 25-64 (16.5%), young adults ages 18-24 (13.9%), older adults ages 65+ (9.5%), and youth ages 10-17 (3.7%). While males had higher rates of suicide death than females, more females attempt suicide (resulting in hospitalization or visit to an emergency department) than males. Nationally, suicide rates among adults ages 35-64 has increased significantly by 28% (Source: CDC).

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

  • 7th highest adult male (ages 25-64) suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 9th highest adult female (ages 25-64) suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 11th highest young adult (ages 18-24) suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 17th highest teen (ages 10-17) suicide rate in the U.S.
  • 28th highest older adult (ages 65+) suicide rate in the U.S.

Additional data on sucides in Utah can be found in the Suicide in Utah, 2006-2010 reports (Youth, Young Adult, Women, Men, and Older Adults).

The data in these reports point to age-specific circumstances and stressors surrounding risk for suicide deaths in Utah. For example, youth who completed suicide were more likely to have school and other relationship problems, while young adults were more likely to have intimate partner problems. Among adults, the data show many suffered from a diagnosed mental illness. Adult men in particular face a myriad of other risk factors, including alcohol and substance abuse and job or financial problems. Older adults were more likely to suffer from physical health problems that may have prompted the suicide.

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. If you live in Utah, call the Statewide CrisisLine at 801-587-3000 or call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 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