Who is Most at Risk of Suicide?

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When it comes to who is at greater risk of suicide, we’ll start by looking at the differences in gender. Although females are more likely to attempt suicide, males are more likely to die by suicide.

Currently, white males over 65 years old hold the highest suicide rate in the country, however, children, African American males, and Native American males are among the fastest-growing groups to die from suicide. It also has become the second leading cause of death among those between 25 to 34 years of age. The risk of death by suicide is two to three times greater in youth who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.

Individuals with prior attempts are at increased risk. Having access to firearms as well as knowing someone who has completed suicide; especially if it were a family member increases your risk. Having a mental health disorder as well as the use of drugs and alcohol increases the risk. In fact, alcohol is contributed to roughly 30% of suicides with depression and other mood disorders including anxiety, contributing to 60 to 90% of all suicides.

To turn the tide, researchers are increasingly looking for more nuanced ways to understand suicide. Emerging research drills into the details around who is at risk, the different pathways suicidal ideation can take, and the common features of treatments that seem to work. Recognizing that suicidal behavior ebbs and flows, this approach aims to meet people at the period of highest risk.

Researchers are also working on posing better questions to adults at risk for suicide. Some patients may not want to admit suicidal thoughts because they’re afraid of involuntary hospitalization, while others might experience suicidal ideation differently than what questionnaires ask. “This is where we put all of our eggs into one basket, where everything in this one concept: Asking, ‘Are you thinking about killing yourself?’”