Health and Family

Suicide

Suicide

Suicide is one of the most difficult tragedies a family and a community can face. The number of suicides and suicide attempts in Virginia each year is on par with the national average, but the Commonwealth is working to reduce its numbers.

Why is This Important?

Suicides and suicide attempts exact a heavy toll in terms of loss of life, medical costs, grief and suffering, and disruption of families and communities. In Virginia, medical costs for hospitalizations due to self-inflicted injuries total over $40 million per year. Given that research suggests inaccurate reporting on suicides due to the social stigma attached, these figures may not indicate the true total of suicides and attempted suicides.

How is Virginia Doing?

Relative to other states, in 2005 Virginia had the 18th lowest age-adjusted suicide rate at 11.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Virginia's rate was slightly higher than the national average rate of 11.0. When comparing states, North Carolina, Tennessee and Maryland's rates were 11.5, 14.0, and 8.4 per 100,000, respectively. New York was the leading state, with only 6.0 age-adjusted deaths due to suicide.

Between 1996 and 2007, the suicide rate for the state as a whole decreased from 12 to 11 percent -- a trend that is expected to continue. Suicide ranked 11th for cause of death among Virginians and was the third leading cause among 10- to 24-year-olds.

An average of 813 Virginia residents die by suicide each year. In 2007, the Southwest region had the highest suicide rate at 22.7 per 100,000, while the Northern region had the lowest rate at 8.8.

What Influences the Suicide Rate?

Many factors influence suicide rates, making suicide very difficult to prevent and treat. These factors include:

• History of mental disorder, particularly depression
• History of alcohol and substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family history of child maltreatment
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
• Loss (relational, social, work or financial)
• Physical illness
• Easy access to lethal methods
• Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts
• Cultural and religious beliefs, for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
• Local epidemics of suicide
• Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
• Previous suicide attempt(s).

Two groups particularly at risk are youth and the elderly. Data from 1999-2004 indicate that rates of suicide in Virginia were higher for older people than youth -- but suicide is still a concern for younger people because it is a leading cause of death in their age group.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents and young adults often experience stress, confusion and depression from situations occurring in their families, schools and communities. Such feelings can become overwhelming and make suicide appear as a "solution."

Older adults who are suicidal are more likely to be suffering from physical illnesses and be divorced or widowed (DHHS 1999; Carney et al. 1994; Dorpat et al. 1968).
Interestingly, most elderly suicide victims are diagnosed with mild to moderate depression by their primary care provider a few weeks prior to their deaths (DHHS 1999).

What is the State's Role?

The Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services are implementing measures to prevent suicide, including post-delivery checkups for mothers and access to mental health services for children and adults.  The Department of Veterans Services is also active in efforts to help troubled Virginia veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.