According to the latest available data, there were around 14.2 suicide deaths per 100,000 population in the United States in 2022. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. highlighting the need for awareness and prevention. The suicide rate in the U.S. has risen for both men and women in recent years but remains over three times higher for men. Hospitalizations In 2021, there were around 517,000 adults hospitalized in the U.S. after a suicide attempt. Although the suicide rate among men is significantly higher than among women, there are more hospitalizations after suicide attempts for women than for men. In 2019, there were 288,000 such hospitalizations among women and 238,000 hospitalizations among men. Public opinionSuicide can be a divisive topic that involves religious and political views. Recent data shows that 72 percent of the U.S. population believes suicide is morally wrong, while 22 percent believe it to be morally acceptable. However, only 32 percent of adults believe it is “very important” to invest public dollars in the prevention of suicide.

Since the 1950s, the suicide rate in the United States has been significantly higher among men than women. In 2022, the suicide rate among men was almost four times higher than that of women. However, the rate of suicide for both men and women has increased gradually over the past couple of decades. Facts on suicide in the United States In 2022, the rate of suicide death in the United States was around 14 per 100,000 population. The suicide rate in the U.S. has generally increased since the year 2000, with the highest rates ever recorded in the years 2018 and 2022. In the United States, death rates from suicide are highest among those aged 45 to 64 years and lowest among younger adults aged 15 to 24. The states with the highest rates of suicide are Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming, while New Jersey and Massachusetts have the lowest rates. Suicide among men In 2023, around 4.5 percent of men in the United States reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. Although this rate is lower than that of women, men still have a higher rate of suicide death than women. One reason for this may have to do with the method of suicide. Although firearms account for the largest share of suicide deaths among both men and women, firearms account for almost 60 percent of all suicides among men and just 35 percent among women. Suffocation and poisoning are the other most common methods of suicide among women, with the chances of surviving a suicide attempt from these methods being much higher than surviving an attempt by firearm. The age group with the highest rate of suicide death among men is by far those aged 75 years and over.

U.S. suicide rate for 2019 was 16.10, a 2.55% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>U.S. suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>15.70</strong>, a <strong>1.26% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>U.S. suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>15.90</strong>, a <strong>5.3% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>U.S. suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>15.10</strong>, a <strong>4.86% increase</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

North America suicide rate for 2019 was 15.66, a 2.19% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>North America suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>15.32</strong>, a <strong>1.82% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>North America suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>15.61</strong>, a <strong>5.61% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>North America suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>14.78</strong>, a <strong>3.64% increase</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Among men in the United States, those aged 75 years and older have the highest death rate from suicide among all age groups. In 2022, the suicide death rate among men aged 75 years and older was 43.9 per 100,000 population. In comparison, the death rate from suicide among men aged 25 to 44 years was 29.6 per 100,000. Suicide is a significant problem in the United States, with rates increasing over the past decade. Suicide among men In the United States, the suicide rate among men is almost four times higher than that of women. In 2022, the rate of suicide among U.S. men was 23 per 100,000 population, the highest rate recorded over the past 70 years. Firearms account for the vast majority of suicide deaths among men, accounting for around 60 percent of male suicides in 2021. The reasons why U.S. men have higher rates of suicide than women are complex and not fully understood, but may have to do with the more violent means by which men carry out suicide and the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues. Suicide among women Although the suicide rate among women in the U.S. is significantly lower than that of men, the rate of suicide among women has increased over the past couple of decades. Among women, those aged 45 to 64 years have the highest death rates due to suicide, followed by women 25 to 44 years old. Interestingly, the share of women reporting serious thoughts of suicide in the past year is higher than that of men, with around 5.5 percent of U.S. women reporting such thoughts in 2023. Similarly to men, firearms account for most suicide deaths among women, however suffocation and poisoning account for a significant share of suicides among women. In 2021, around 35 percent of suicides among women were carried out by firearms, while suffocation and poisoning each accounted for around 28 percent of suicide deaths.

Linkages between climate and mental health are often theorized but remain poorly quantified. In particular, it is unknown whether suicide, a leading cause of death globally, is systematically affected by climatic conditions. Using multiple decades of comprehensive data from both the US and Mexico, we find that suicide rates rise 0.7% in US counties and 2.1% in Mexican municipalities for a 1C increase in monthly average temperature. This effect is similar in hotter versus cooler regions and has not diminished over time, indicating limited historical adaptation. Analysis of depressive language in >600 million social media updates further suggests that mental wellbeing deteriorates during warmer periods. We project that unmitigated climate change (RCP8.5) could result in a combined 9-40 thousand additional suicides (95% CI) across the US and Mexico by 2050, representing an change in suicide rates comparable to the estimated impact of economic recessions, suicide prevention programs, or gun restriction laws.

Impact of Social Media on Suicide Rates: Produced Results

Overview

This dataset explores the impact of social media usage on suicide rates, presenting an analysis based on social media platform data and WHO suicide rate statistics. It is an insightful resource for researchers, data scientists, and analysts looking to understand the correlation between increased social media activity and suicide rates across different regions and demographics.

Content

The dataset includes the following key sources:

WHO Suicide Rate Data (SDGSUICIDE): Retrieved from WHO data export, which tracks global suicide rates. Social Media Usage Data: Information from major social media platforms, sourced from Kaggle, supplemented with data from:

Facebook: Statista

Twitter: Twitter Investor Relations

Instagram: Facebook Investor Relations

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge:

World Health Organization (WHO): For providing global suicide rate data, accessible under their data policy (WHO Data Policy). Kaggle Dataset Contributors: For social media usage data that played a crucial role in the analysis.

Usage

This dataset is useful for studying the potential social factors contributing to suicide rates, especially the role of social media. Analysts can explore correlations using time-series analysis, regression models, or other statistical tools to derive meaningful insights. Please ensure compliance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Data Files

Impact-of-social-media-on-suicide-rates-results-1.1.0.zip (90.9 kB) Contains processed results and supplementary data.

Citations

If you use this dataset in your work, please cite:

Martin Winkler. (2021). Impact of social media on suicide rates: produced results (1.1.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4701587 https://zenodo.org/records/4701587

License

This dataset is released under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. You are free to share and adapt the material, provided proper attribution is given, it's not used for commercial purposes, and any derivatives are distributed under the same license.

Columns

Year: The year of the recorded data. Sex: Demographic indicator (e.g., male, female). Suicide Rate % Change Since 2010: Percentage change in suicide rates compared to the year 2010. Twitter User Count % Change Since 2010: Percentage change in Twitter user counts compared to the year 2010. Facebook User Count % Change Since 2010: Percentage change in Facebook user counts compared to the year 2010.

Data Bins

The dataset includes categorized data ranges, allowing for analysis of trends within specified intervals. For example, ranges for suicide rates, Twitter user counts, and Facebook user counts are represented in bins for better granularity.

Count Summary

The dataset summarizes counts for various intervals, enabling researchers to identify trends and patterns over time, highlighting periods of significant change or stability in both suicide rates and social media usage.

Use Cases

This dataset can be used for:

Statistical analysis to understand correlations between social media usage and mental health outcomes. Academic research focused on public health, psychology, or sociology. Policy-making discussions aimed at addressing mental health concerns linked to social media.

Cautions

The dataset contains sensitive information regarding suicide rates. Users should handle this data with care and sensitivity, considering ethical implications when presenting findings.

United States US: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 23.600 NA in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 23.000 NA for 2015. United States US: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 20.700 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.600 NA in 2016 and a record low of 17.900 NA in 2000. United States US: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

In 2024, Japan reported 16.4 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The country's suicide rate resumed its downward trend after an unexpected surge in recent years, likely connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the reasons behind Japan’s high suicide rates?  While the majority of suicides in Japan stemmed from health reasons, existential concerns and problems directly related to work also accounted for thousands of self-inflicted deaths in the past years. One of the most profound issues faced by employees in Japan leading to self-harm is exhaustion. “Karoshi,” or death by overwork, is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese society. In addition to physical fatigue, karoshi may be precipitated by mental stress resulting from employment. Occupational stress or overwork-induced suicide is referred to as “karojisatsu (overwork suicide)” in Japan. Which demographic groups are affected? Although *************** are frequently depicted as the most at-risk demographic for suicide in Japan, the increasing occurrence of suicides among the elderly people and schoolchildren is causing concern. Bullying, isolation, and the lack of a proficient mental healthcare system can be additional factors contributing to the country’s high suicide rates among all age groups.

Australia suicide rate for 2019 was 12.50, a 0.81% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Australia suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>12.40</strong>, a <strong>5.34% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Australia suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>13.10</strong>, a <strong>7.38% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>Australia suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>12.20</strong>, a <strong>7.58% decline</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Philippines suicide rate for 2019 was 2.20, a 0% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Philippines suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>2.20</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Philippines suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>2.20</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>Philippines suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>2.20</strong>, a <strong>4.35% decline</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Adjusted estimated differences in country-level monthly suicide rates per 100,000 population during COVID-19 pandemic compared to same months in the pre-pandemic periods.

U.K. suicide rate for 2021 was 9.55, a 7.3% increase from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>U.K. suicide rate for 2020 was <strong>8.90</strong>, a <strong>5.22% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>U.K. suicide rate for 2019 was <strong>9.39</strong>, a <strong>2.51% increase</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>U.K. suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>9.16</strong>, a <strong>14.79% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Oman suicide rate for 2019 was 4.90, a 4.26% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Oman suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>4.70</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Oman suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>4.70</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>Oman suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>4.70</strong>, a <strong>6% decline</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Jamaica suicide rate for 2019 was 2.40, a 4.35% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Jamaica suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>2.30</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Jamaica suicide rate for 2017 was <strong>2.30</strong>, a <strong>4.55% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
<li>Jamaica suicide rate for 2016 was <strong>2.20</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2015.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Over the past couple decades the death rate from intentional self-harm (suicide) in Canada has remained relatively stable. In 2000, the death rate from suicide was 11.7 per 100,000 population. However, the rate had slightly decreased by 2023 to 9.5 deaths per 100,000. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are always considered a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate assistance from a health care provider. Suicide globally The statistics on suicide vary drastically by country. As of 2019, the countries with the highest rates of suicide included Lesotho, Guyana, and Eswatini. Suicide statistics also vary by gender. As an example, the suicide rate among men in Lithuania in 2021 was almost five times greater than the suicide rate among Lithuanian women. Suicide in North America Suicide rates in North America also differ drastically by age and gender. In Canada, the rate of deaths due to suicide is highest among those aged 50 to 54 years. Much like in Canada, the United States shows higher rates of suicides among older adults, with those aged 45 to 64 years with the highest rates of suicide. In North America, as well as globally, the death rate from suicide is higher among men. In the United States, the death rate from suicide among men is almost four times greater than the death rate from suicide among women.

Country and province-level annual suicides numbers (annual suicide rates per 100,000 population).

New Mexico was the state with the highest rate of suicidal death among adolescents in the U.S. in 2023, with around 27.7 deaths per 100,000 adolescents. The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased over recent years. Suicide is more common among men than women with rates among men almost four times higher than among women. Risk factors Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders, as well as substance abuse. In fact, suicidal thoughts, plans to commit suicide, and suicide attempts are all more common among those with drug or alcohol dependence or abuse. In terms of suicides due to a known mental disorder, depression accounts for around 72 percent of all such suicides. Methods Most suicides in the United States are carried out by firearms, however, the most common method of suicide differs from country to country. In 2022, over 27,000 suicides in the United States were conducted by firearms, or just over half of all suicides that year. Firearms are the most common means of suicide among both men and women in the United States, but suicide by poisoning is much more common among women than men.

BackgroundClimate change is reshaping public health, introducing extreme weather conditions and environmental stressors—such as high temperatures, atmospheric pollution, desertification, and storms (rain, thunder, and hail)—that critically impact mental health. Evidence increasingly links these factors to higher rates of suicide-related outcomes, including suicidal ideation, attempts, and self-harm. Such interactions underscore the importance of understanding how climate-driven mental health risks vary by environmental factor and gender, as gender-specific vulnerabilities shape responses to climate stressors.MethodsBy April 16, 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Scopus, ProQuest, and Embase. Two researchers independently reviewed studies and collected demographic data, systematically tracking and recording rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide deaths, self-harm, and anxiety. Data were rigorously cross-verified for accuracy and consistency.ResultsThe meta-analysis demonstrated significant associations between climate change variables and mental health outcomes. High temperatures and air pollution were linked to increased suicide attempts (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.34–1.45) and suicide deaths (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.44–1.58), particularly among males. Conversely, atmospheric pollution and desertification correlated with a reduced likelihood of suicidal ideation (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63–0.85). These findings highlight gender-specific mental health impacts, with females exhibiting higher rates of anxiety and self-harm, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing climate-induced mental health risks.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis reveal significant gender-specific mental health impacts of climate change, with females experiencing higher rates of anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, while males show greater incidences of suicide attempts and deaths. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions and the integration of mental health services into climate policies to address these gender disparities.Systematic review registrationThis study is registered with PROSPERO [PROSPERO (york.ac.uk)] under the identifier [CRD42024534961].