Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, overall. For people ages 35 to 54, it ranks fourth, and for 10- to 34-year-olds, second.
Over the decades, suicide rates have climbed and fallen and climbed again.
Suicide is a serious and preventable public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. While the causes of suicide vary, suicide prevention strategies share two goals: to reduce factors that increase risk and to increase factors that promote resilience or coping. Prevention requires a comprehensive approach that occurs at all levels of society—from the individual, family, and community levels to the broader social environment. Effective prevention strategies are needed to promote awareness of suicide, while also promoting prevention, resilience, and a commitment to social change.