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About Suicide Statistics in Arizona

Understanding suicide statistics is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and providing the necessary support to those at risk. This page is dedicated to offering a comprehensive look at suicide data, both nationally and within Arizona, helping to shed light on trends, risk factors, and the impact of suicide on different communities.

Local

1. Overall Suicide Rate
  • The overall suicide rate in Arizona has been steadily increasing, reaching approximately 18 suicides per 100,000 people in recent years, which is higher than the national average​.
2. Demographic Breakdown
  • By Age: The highest rates of suicide are seen among adults aged 45 to 64, with significant increases also noted among young adults aged 25 to 34.
  • By Gender: Males have a suicide rate three times higher than females in Arizona. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for males and the 11th for females.
  • By Veteran Status: Military veterans in Arizona have a 17% higher suicide rate than non-veterans, highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions for this group.
3. Methods of Suicide
  • Over half of the suicides in Arizona involve firearms, accounting for 60% of completed suicides. Other common methods include suffocation and poisoning, with poisoning by drugs being more common among women.
4. Regional Variations

A. Maricopa County
  • Overall Suicide Rate: The suicide rate in Maricopa County for 2023 was 20.1 per 100,000 population​.
  • Trends Over Time: Over the past decade, the suicide rate has varied but shows an overall increasing trend. There was a 72% decrease in the rate of suicide among children younger than 15 over the last decade, but rates of suicide among adults between 25 and 34 have increased by 50% during that period​.
  • Methods: Firearms remain the most common means of suicide, accounting for 60% of completed suicides.
B. Pima County
  • Overall Suicide Rate: The number of suicides in Pima County in 2023 was approximately 244, with a suicide rate of 20.1 per 100,000 population.
  • Methods: Firearms were used in 60% of suicides, followed by hanging (20%). Poisoning and other methods were also noted.
  • Self-Inflicted Injuries: There has been a decrease in the rate of individuals hospitalized due to self-inflicted injury, which are more common in women than men. Most self-inflicted injury-related hospital discharges were associated with poisoning by drugs.
Youth Suicide Statistics

1. Arizona Youth Survey (AYS) 2022 State Report
  • Suicidal Ideation and Attempts: The survey reports that 17.3% of youth have seriously considered suicide, and 8.6% have attempted suicide.
  • Impact of Factors:
    • Bullying: A significant factor contributing to suicidal ideation and attempts among youth.
    • Substance Abuse: Strong correlation with increased risk of suicide among youth.
    • Mental Health Issues: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among youth, increasing the risk of suicide attempts​.
Summary of Key Points
  • Suicide Rates:
    • Maricopa County: 20.1 per 100,000 population.
    • Significant increases in suicide rates among adults aged 25-34 and military veterans.
  • Methods:
    • Firearms are the leading method of suicide (60%).
    • Hanging and poisoning are also common methods.
  • Demographics:
    • Higher suicide rates among males compared to females.
    • Highest suicide rates among adults aged 45-64.
  • Youth Suicides:
    • 17.3% of youth have seriously considered suicide.
    • 8.6% of youth have attempted suicide.
    • Factors such as bullying, substance abuse, and mental health issues significantly impact youth suicide rates.

National

  1. Overall Trends:
    • In 2021, more than 48,000 people died by suicide in the United States. This equates to one death every 11 minutes.
    • The national suicide rate increased by 37% from 2000 to 2018, then decreased by 5% between 2018 and 2020. However, the rate nearly returned to its peak in 2021, with a rate of 14.1 per 100,000 people​ (CDC)​​ (CDC)​.
  2. Demographic Breakdown:
    • By Race/Ethnicity:
      • Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native: 28.1 per 100,000
      • Non-Hispanic White: 17.4 per 100,000
      • Non-Hispanic Black: 8.7 per 100,000
      • Hispanic: 7.9 per 100,000
      • Non-Hispanic Asian: 6.8 per 100,000
    • By Gender:
      • Males: 22.8 per 100,000
      • Females: 5.7 per 100,000
    • By Age:
      • Ages 85 and older: 22.4 per 100,000
      • Ages 75-84: 19.6 per 100,000
      • Ages 10-14: 2.8 per 100,000​ (CDC)​.
  3. Methods of Suicide:
    • Firearms are the most common method, accounting for 54.6% of all suicides.
    • Other methods include suffocation (25.8%) and poisoning (11.6%)​ (CDC)​.