A new study shows that from 2015 to 2019, the United States saw increases in the overall rate of suicide attempts and the rate of people experiencing suicidal thoughts, with sharper increases among certain sociodemographic groups.
Although people with suicidal thoughts have an elevated risk of suicide attempts and death, less than half receive mental health care. Use of general health care is much higher: Almost as many people with suicide risk reported visiting an emergency room as receiving mental health care. Interactions with the health care system are critical points of intervention during which people with suicide risk can be identified and connected to care; in fact, research shows that more than half of people who die by suicide interact with the overall health care system within a month before their death.
This research underscores the need for universal suicide screening, as more than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. For every death, there were 32 people reporting suicide attempts, and more than 250 people reporting seriously thinking about suicide.
Universal screening is a practice in which every patient is asked if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, or planning a suicide attempt regardless of what kind of medical facility they are visiting or why. The study, which examined sociodemographic data in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, also further demonstrates the need for tailored protocols and strategies that reflect different populations’ unique cultural and linguistic needs and risk factors. The study was conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dr. Hillary Samples.
Growing disparities in suicide risk
This research highlights the growing disparities in risk across sociodemographic groups. Researchers found that, from 2015 to 2019, suicide attempts increased by 48% for Black adults and by 82% for adults identifying as more than one race/ethnicity or “other” (that is, not Black, White, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native). This finding contrasted sharply with White adults among whom suicide attempts fell 33% and the overall population, for which suicide attempts decreased by about 20%. The study also found a 22% rise in suicidal ideation overall, with pronounced increases for young adults ages 18-25 (45%).
It’s important to note that the survey asked about suicide attempts only if the respondent first reported ideation. However, many attempts are impulsive and not necessarily preceded by suicidal thoughts or planning. As a result, some people who attempted suicide may not be represented in the data. Additionally, given smaller sample sizes, significant trends in disparities were not observed for certain demographic subgroups, including American Indian and Alaska Natives and Asian and Pacific Islanders. Further, gender identity is not measured in the survey, and certain high-risk group—such as unhoused and institutionalized (for example, incarcerated) people—are not included in the dataset, therefore results are not generalizable to these groups.
High need for health care, but low utilization
This analysis also looked at trends in health care utilization among people with suicidal ideation, given the potential to address suicidality in health care settings. Researchers found that less than 50% of people with suicidal ideation received mental health care from 2015 to 2019, and the groups at highest risk for ideation and attempts were even less likely to receive care. Specifically, an estimated 41% of young adults ages 18-25 received mental health services. Further, Black (36%), Hispanic (37%), multiracial/other (44%), and Asian and Pacific Islander (28.5%) adults were significantly less likely to receive health care than White adults (53%). Comparatively, use of general health care services—including inpatient, emergency, and outpatient services—was high overall (87%) and across all groups.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Health systems have an important role to play in suicide prevention, but these systems are missing opportunities to identify suicide risk among patients who are not seeking, or can’t access, behavioral health services. Current hospital accreditation standards require suicide risk screening only for patients in mental health facilities and for individuals primarily seeking care for behavioral health conditions in general health facilities. Expanding universal suicide screening across both mental health and general health settings has been shown to effectively identify more patients experiencing suicide risk.
Health care systems should expand screening practices to identify more patients who may be at risk for suicide and connect them to care. The marked disparities in ideation and attempts also underscore the importance of embedding health equity into prevention strategies to improve suicide outcomes for all. For hospitals, this includes building an equitable and diverse workforce trained to address the needs of the communities they serve, using culturally and linguistically effective screening tools and protocols to better identify risk, and tailoring screening and intervention strategies to address the particular risk factors of different populations.
Screening more people by consistently using protocols and practices that are effective in recognizing and assessing risk in diverse populations can better identify a greater number of people at heightened risk, connect them to care, and save lives.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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