The suicide rate fell in the 1990s, from 12.4 to 10.7 people per 100,000. It is the lowest rate since 1968. One factor thought to affect suicide rates is the health of the country. In short, good times equal low rates, bad times high rates. The highest suicide rate occurred in 1932, when the Depression helped push the rate to 17.4 per 100,000. Just after World War II, with the war over and the economy growing, the rate lingered at about 10.0. In the following decades, the rate did increase, fluctuating between 11.1 and 13.3. Population increased during this time, of course. But with changing work and social structures — divorces, job demands and losses, spread out families, the rise of the suburbs — so did the possibility of feeling completely overwhelmed, depressed and socially isolated.
Men are four times more likely than women to take their own life. White males have the highest rate of any group, 19.1 per 100,000, a rate far above black males (10.0), Native Americans (12.1) or any segment of females (white females 4.5, black females 1.6). Of the 29,199 suicides in 1999, about 72% (21,107) were committed by white men.
Seniors also have high suicide rates. There were more than 35 million Americans over the age of 65 in 1999, and their suicide rates are roughly double the national rate. While seniors represent 13% of the population, they represented 18.8% of all suicides. Seniors are perhaps particularly vulnerable to the sense of despair that can lead to suicide. Many older persons suffer from some illness that has diminished their quality of life. Most are no longer working, and not enjoying the sense of purpose that a job provides. Many are suffering from loneliness and depression. Many have lost a spouse. Government statistics offer some correlation between marital status and suicide rates. During the period 1980 to 1992, the suicide rate for married persons increased 4%, increased 3% for never married persons and 9% for widowed or divorced persons. Again, men seem particularly prone to suicide. In 1992, the rate for divorced/widowed men age 65 and higher was 2.7 times that for married men, 4 times the rate of never married men and 17 times the rate for married women.
There has been significant increase in the rates among young people. For 15-19 year olds, the rate grew nearly 120% from 1950 to 1970, from 2.7 deaths per 100,000 in 1950 to 5.9 in 1970. The rate hit its high point in 1991 with a rate of 11.1 per 100,000, an increase of over 300% from 1950. Again, it is men who overwhelmingly turn to suicide. Disturbingly, men in their early 20s kill themselves at rates higher than all men and seniors.
Suicide Rates: Young Men in Crisis (Rate per 100,000)
| 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Men 15-19 | 18.1 | 18.0 | 17.8 | 17.5 | 18.1 | 17.3 | 15.6 | 15.2 | 14.6 | 13.3 |
| Men 20-24 | 25.7 | 25.5 | 25.6 | 26.6 | 28.5 | 27.7 | 24.8 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 21.6 |
| All men | 20.4 | 20.1 | 19.6 | 19.9 | 19.8 | 19.8 | 19.3 | 18.7 | 18.6 | 17.6 |
| All 65+ | 20.5 | 19.7 | 19.1 | 19.0 | 18.1 | 18.1 | 17.3 | 16.8 | 16.9 | 15.9 |
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for the 19.1 million men between 20-24 years of age. For 20-24 year old white males, it is the second leading cause. Why? Are some men overcome by the stress of starting their adult lives? Quite possibly these young men have been troubled since their adolescence. A recent National Institute of Mental Health survey found that among adolescents who suffer from depression, potentially as many as 7% will commit suicide in their adult years.
Women have far lower suicide rates than men. Are we, as a society, more accepting of women discussing their feelings? For all the talk of men getting in touch with "their feminine side" do we still expect boys and young men to be the "strong, silent type"?
Source: "USA Suicide Official Final Data" Retrieved August 22, 2002 from http://www.suicidology.org; Table 3 "Suicide Rate (per 100,000 persons in each age group." From http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/1995/pdf/t1315.pdf; causes of death from National Vital Statistics Report 1999, table 1, 7. "Suicide and Homicide Rates in the U.S. 1900-1994." Retrieved August 22, 2002 from http://www.suicidemethods.net. "Suicide Among Older Persons." MMWR, January 12, 1996.
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