Suicide Deaths in the United States

ByBrandi Crum, LMFT

Content Note:
This post discusses suicide, suicide loss, suicidal thoughts, grief, mental health, emotional pain, or crisis support. Please read with care. If this topic feels activating, it is okay to pause, step away, or reach out for support.

If you are in crisis, thinking about suicide, at risk of hurting yourself, or in immediate danger, call 911, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room. This blog is not monitored for crisis support.

Suicide Is Not Just a Statistic

These are some powerful visuals from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.  The statistics are based on Suicide Deaths in the United States.  Please, stop and take a look.  More people have suicidal ideations than you think.  Sadly, some of these people may be your family or friends.

Blog title graphic for Suicide Deaths in the United States, a suicide awareness post about statistics, prevention, crisis support, and hope.

From 2009 to 2018, the age-adjusted suicide death rate increased from 11.76 to 14.24 per 100,000 people. From 2009 to 2018, the rate increased from 19.23 to 22.79 per 100,000 for males. Among females, the rate increased from 4.88 in 2009 to 6.18 in 2018.

Suicides consistently outnumber homicides.

Suicide Deaths in the United States

What the Numbers Cannot Show

The homicide rate has not consistently shown the upward trend that we see with the suicide rate.

Blog title graphic for Suicide Deaths in the United State.

Suicide rates are generally highest in Alaska and in the western and northwestern United States, with the exception of southern California and parts of Washington. Rural counties generally have higher rates of suicide than urban counties.

Where to Find Help

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). 1999-2018 Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research (WONDER), Multiple Cause of Death files [Data file]. Retrieved from CDC Underlying Cause
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2008-2014, United States Smoothed Age-Adjusted Death Rates per 100,000 Population [map]. All Injury, Suicide, All Races, All Ethnicities, Both Sexes, All Ages. (January 2020). Retrieved from CDC
  3. Rosen, L. M., Hedegaard, H., Kahn, D., & Warner, M. (2018). County-level trends in suicide rates in the U.S., 2005–2015. American Journal of Preventive Medicine [3], 55(1), 72-79.

Crisis Support Disclaimer:
This post is shared for awareness, education, encouragement, and stigma reduction. It is not therapy, clinical advice, crisis care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not create a therapist-client relationship with Barefoot Faith Journey or Circle of Hope Counseling Services, LLC.

If you are in crisis, thinking about suicide, at risk of hurting yourself, or in immediate danger, call 911, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room. You are worthy of immediate care and support.

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Resources that Can Help with Suicide Prevention

I’m Brandi Crum. I am a wife, mom, Lolli, therapist, writer, and the voice behind Barefoot Faith Journey.

What began as an adoption and family blog has grown into a faith-filled space for psychoeducation, grief support, mental health awareness, and honest hope for life’s hard places.

My writing blends personal reflection, professional insight, and faith-based encouragement for those navigating trauma, loss, family struggles, emotional healing, and seasons of change.

The content I share is educational and inspirational only. It is not therapy and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care.

Kentucky residents seeking counseling can learn more through Circle of Hope Counseling Services, LLC (circleofhopecounselingservices.com). I serve teens, adults, couples, and families. My specialties specialty certifications are in ADHD, clinical trauma, anxiety treatment, and grief counseling. For more information, go to the website above.

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