FACTS AND FIGURES
Learn about statistics, trends, and other relevant insights for behavioral health practitioners working to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for people in underserved communities.
National Suicide Prevention Week
One of the leading causes of death in the United States is suicide, with a rate of one death every eleven minutes.
1 Disparities in suicide rates can be
seen among specific groups, including men, veterans, people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska
Natives (AI/AN).
2 AI/ANs had the highest death rate per 100,000 in 2021 (28.1) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (17.4), Non-Hispanic Native
Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders (12.6), Non-Hispanic Multiracial people (9.7), Non-Hispanic Blacks (8.7), Hispanics (7.9), and Non-Hispanic Asians
(6.8).
1 The higher rate of suicide among the AI/AN population can be attributed to worse health and socioeconomic conditions, increased
substance use, mental health issues, family instability, cultural disconnection, and the pressure to assimilate.
3
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 10-16 and aims to raise awareness of this public health issue and advocate for suicide prevention programs
and interventions. Suicide prevention can be achieved through increased access to culturally responsive mental health care, strengthened economic
support, and access to suicide prevention programs that are effectively adapted to tribal communities. SAMHSA has several resources on suicide
prevention programs: