With suicide as one of the top 10 causes of death, there is tremendous push to reduce the number of deaths by suicide. Suicide attempt remains the leading predictor of suicide, thus warrants further exploration. This study, based on data from nearly 500,000 respondents (age 18+) to the 2008-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for suicide attempts. It was found that the rate of suicide attempts has increased significantly over the past decade (Figure 1). The increase in suicide attempt was especially noted in young adults (18-25 years of age), women, and individuals with lower education levels. Also during that time, receipt of mental health services within the year preceding suicide attempt has not increased. In fact, the percentage of individuals with suicide attempt who felt they needed mental health services but did not receive them has increased between 2010-2011 and 2018-2019 (Figure 2). Reasons for not obtaining mental health services were attributed to not knowing where to obtain services and transportation or distance to services. Altogether, this study implies that there is a tremendous need for increased access to mental health services for those who attempt suicide. The recent surge in telepsychiatry services may prove to be one way in which to address this gap.

Figure 1. Rate of Suicide Attempts per 100000 Between 2018-2019

Figure 2. Percentage of Individuals with Past Year Suicide Attempt Who Report Believing They Needed Mental Health Services but Did Not Receive Them

Reference:

Boomersbach TJ et al. JAMA Psychiatry 2022; Epub ahead of print. Abstract