NSDUH: One in 13 youth have serious suicidal thoughts

From 2013 to 2014, approximately one in 13 young adults in the U.S. had serious thoughts about suicide, according to recent findings from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“In 2013, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States overall, with more than 41,000 deaths by suicide... However, individuals who die from suicide represent a fraction of those who consider or attempt suicide. Research suggests that there are more attempted suicides than there are deaths from suicide. Out of every 31 adults who attempted suicide in the past 12 months in the United States, there was one death by suicide,” Rachel N. Lipari, PhD, of SAMHSA, and colleagues wrote. “Assessing recent state-level trends in past-year serious thoughts of suicide among young adults helps state public health authorities and suicide prevention specialists to better understand and effectively serve their communities.”

To estimate annual averages of past-year serious thoughts of suicide among young adults aged 18 to 25 years by state, researchers analyzed data from 2013 to 2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health.

Overall, 2.6 million young adults — approximately one in 13 — had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, accounting for 7.4% of the population.

Rates of past-year serious thoughts of suicide ranged from 6.2% in Texas to 10.3% in New Hampshire.

From 2012-2013 to 2013-2014, there was no change in percentage of past-year serious thoughts of suicide on a national level.

At state level, only New Hampshire experienced a change in serious thoughts of suicide, from 8.4% in 2012-2013 to 10.3% in 2013-2014. All other 49 states and the District of Columbia did not experience rate changes.

“Preventing suicide and addressing the behavioral health care needs of people at risk for suicidal behavior require public health information-sharing that raises awareness and identifies effective preventive interventions,” the researchers wrote. “Highlighting the prevalence of suicidal thoughts across states may help federal, state, and local policymakers continue to plan for and allocate resources to reduce the negative perceptions associated with mental and emotional issues, seek suicide prevention support, and increase access to mental health treatment.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

Reference:

Lipari RN, et al. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CBHSQ report: State estimates of past year serious thoughts of suicide among young adults: 2013 and 2014. Available at: http://www.samhsa.gov/data. Accessed June 22, 2016.