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Suicide is among the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. — and #2 among ages 15-34.
On average, there are 132 suicides every day; or looked at another way, 1 person every 11 minutes kills himself or herself.
In 2019, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide — exceeding the total number of Americans killed in combat in the entire Vietnam War.
In 2018, nearly 1.2 million Americans attempted suicide.
Suicide rates in the U.S. increased 30% from 2000 to 2016.
During that period, every state except Nevada saw suicide rates increase (Nevada’s rate dropped 1%).
Teen suicides are skyrocketing at an alarming rate – from 2007 to 2017, the number of suicides among people ages 10-24 increased 56 percent.
There are 3.6 male suicide deaths for every female death by suicide.
More than 45,000 military veterans and active-duty service members have killed themselves since 2013.
That’s more than the total American military deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
Children who have lost a parent to suicide are three times more likely to take their own lives as well.
On average, 135 people are touched by each suicide.
That translates to more than 6,526,000 people in 2018 alone.
Up to 50% of the U.S. population have been exposed to suicide in their lifetime.
The average cost of each suicide is estimated at $1,330,000 (primarily in lost productivity).
In 2018, the financial cost of suicides in the U.S. exceeded $64,000,000,000.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control, American Association of Suicidology, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Kentucky, Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Net proceeds from sales of Sons of Suicide will be donated to nonprofits focused on suicide prevention, survivors, grief counseling and mental health.