Ohio-Specific Suicide facts, 2004
Incidence
- Ohio is ranked 29th out of 51 states, with 1 being the highest suicide rate
- Ohio Statewide suicide is the 11th ranking cause of death of all ages
- 1,319 Ohio residents died by suicide
- Average of three suicides per day
- For every one homicide in Ohio there are two suicides
Gender
- Males account for 79% of Ohio suicides, rate 18.58 per 100,000,
- Suicide is the 8th ranking cause of death for men
- Females account for 21% of suicides, rate 4.82 per 100,000,
- Suicide is the 16th ranking cause of death for females
- Male suicide rates are 4 times greater than the female rate
Race/Ethnicity
- White: 91% of suicides, rate 12.27 per 100,000
- Black: 8% of suicides, rate 7.22 per 100,000
- Other: 1% of suicides, rate 5.38 per 100,000
Lifespan
Youth Facts (CDC)1
- 2nd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds
- Youth suicides, age 1-24, have increased 18% since 2001
- Female youth suicides have been increasing annually, and increased 36% since 2001
- Male youth suicides have increased by 9% since 2001
- Youth suicides account for, (on average) 14% of Ohio Suicides in years 2001-2004
2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)2
- 27% of Ohio teens reported feeling depressed
- 18% of Ohio teens reported seriously considering suicide
- 9% of Ohio teens reported attempting suicide during the past year
Middle-Age Facts
- Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 45-54 year olds
- 45-54 year olds have the highest percentage of suicides in Ohio, this age group accounts for 22% of suicides
- People age 35-54 account for 41% of the deaths by suicide in Ohio
Elderly Population Facts (AAS)3
- Elderly white men were at the highest risk with a rate of approximately 31 suicides per 100,000 each year.
- 84.6% of elderly suicides were male; the rate of male suicides in late life was 7.7 times greater than for female suicides.
- The act of completing suicide is rarely preceded by only one cause or one reason.
In the elderly population, common risk factors include:
- The recent death of a loved one
- Physical illness, uncontrollable pain or the fear of a prolonged illness
- Perceived poor health
- Social isolation and loneliness
In Ohio, 13% of suicides are persons 65 years or older.
Sources
1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/default.htm
2 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Executive
Summary, Ohio Department of Health
www.odh.ohio.gov
3 American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
www.suicidology.org
