Missoula Measures - Suicide

How are we doing?
Indicators
Related data
Disparities
Missoula Youth Suicide
Related Measures
Related websites

Why this topic?

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for adults: Nationally, 11 of every 100,000 Americans of all ages took their own lives. More men than women died by suicide, and firearms were the most common method used by both. Nationally, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years of age, taking more than 12 of every 100,000 American young people. National Institute of Mental Health

These numbers do not represent all the suicide attempts, nor deaths not reported as suicide, e.g., motor vehicle crashes caused by suicidal behavior; family members withholding information for insurance reasons; or fear of the stigma attached to suicide, etc. Nationwide, there are 25 suicide attempts for every completed suicide; and only a small percentage of suicide-related injuries are treated by medical personnel and subsequently reported as attempted suicide.

Missoula Suicide Prevention Network web page - Lists goals, events, activities and projects, under the direction of the Health Promotion Division of the Missoula City/County Health Dept.

How are we doing?

Suicide rates in the Western states have consistently been higher than those for the U.S. in general. Montana has consistently ranked in the top 5 for the highest suicide rate.

In many states, suicide in the Native American population is higher than among Caucasians. However, in Montana, the numbers are nearly identical.

Missoula County’s rate of firearm suicides is higher than the national rate, and, along with Montana, ranks very high when compared with other Western states.

Of the 77 reported suicides in Missoula County from 1998 through 2002:

6% were under 20 years of age
42% were between ages 21 and 41
12% were over age 62
81% were male

When attempting suicide, men are apt to use more lethal methods that cannot be interrupted, like guns and hanging.

Women attempt suicide 3-4 times more often than men but are more likely to use drugs or poisons. Also, women are more likely to seek and accept help when faced with depression or other problems.

Healthy People 2020 Target
	Base	Target
Reduce adult suicide rate	11.3	10.2

Indicators

graph suicide rates US, Montana, Missoula thru 2006

Montana Vital Statistics

Related data

Montana Youth Risk Behavior Trend Data - Suicide

Percent of students who . . . in the past 12 months:
	1995	1997	1999	2001	2003	2005	2007	2009
Felt sad or depressed enough that stopped doing usual activity			26	27	26	26	26	27
Seriously considered attempting suicide	22	24	19	19	19	18	15	17
Made plan about how to attempt suicide	19	19	16	16	15	15	13	13
Actually attempted suicide	9	8	7	10	10	10	8	8
Had a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment	3	3	3	4	3	3	3	3

NOTE: Of those who attempted suicide in 2009, 62% received medical treatment.

Montana YRBS Trend Data

National Suicide Trends - Approximately:

75% are male
51% are from a gunshot
18% (and rising) are by poisoning, which includes prescription drugs

More suicide data

More regarding prescription drug abuse and suicide:

U.S. emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by young adult males rose 55 percent between 2005 and 2009.

ER visits for drug-related suicide attempts involving antidepressants among young adult males in those four years jumped 155 percent, and cases involving anti-anxiety and insomnia medications rose 93 percent.

Emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts involving narcotic pain relievers nearly doubled among men aged 35 to 49, and almost tripled among men aged 50 and older.

These findings are based on data from the 2005-09 Drug Abuse Warning Network reports.

National Suicide Rates, 2006 - by state, age, race

2000 - 2006 Montana Suicide Rates - from Montana Suicide Prevention Plan: by County, page 11; by Age, page 13.

(NOTE: National suicide statistics are always 3 years behind the current year.)

Disparities

Research has shown that 90 % of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death, most often unrecognized or untreated depression. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The suicide rate for people with major depression is 8 times greater than the general population. SAMHSA

Suicide rates are higher for persons who are single, divorced, separated, or widowed. Social and environmental factors associated with suicidal behavior are often characterized by loss, such as job or home loss, incarceration, financial difficulties, unwanted move, diagnosis of a chronic or terminal illness among others. In the adolescent population, bullying and gender identity issues can be major contributors.

Particular age groups appear to be more vulnerable to suicide:

post-retirement white males, with rates increasing after age 65
Native American young males
nationally, the age group with the highest rate is white males over age 85
young males between the ages of 20 and 29
females in mid-life, especially 45 0 49 years of age
the fastest growing group is 10 - 24 years of age

As with violence against others, alcohol and drug use are contributing factors for people at risk for suicide.

Youth Suicide – From Washington State Youth Suicide Prevention Plan, 1995

Nationwide, the rate of suicide among youth (aged 15 to 24 years) has increased 200% since the 1960’s compared to 17% in the general population. Male youth are four times more likely to complete suicide than are female youth. Females are at greater risk for suicide attempts than male youth or any other age group.
Depression, alcohol abuse, social alienation, and access to lethal means are major risk factors for youth suicide.
Firearms are the most common method of suicide among the 15- to 24-year-old age group. The presence of a loaded gun in the home is the single most powerful risk factor. Suicide risk attributed to alcohol use, living alone, and not having a high school degree together match the risks of gun ownership.
Youth groups at risk for suicide or suicidal behavior include: white males, Native Americans, youth struggling with depression, substance use, school problems, high-achieving youth, gay and lesbian youth, victims of assault or abuse, and runaway youth. Note that youth considered academic "high achievers" are among those who may be at risk.
In a study done in 2000, alcohol was involved in 36 percent of homicides, 12 percent of male suicides, and 8 percent of female suicides involving people under 21. Homicide was the second leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. NAS report Reducing Underage Drinking, 62.

Missoula County Youth Suicide

For the past several years, the county has averaged 1-2 teen suicides per year; almost all have been males. Missoula Fetal, Infant and Child Mortality Review Team