American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Comment on 2022 CDC WISQARS Data

NEW YORK (June 3, 2024)—Suicide death data for the year 2022 are now available through the CDC's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS™). According to the new data, suicide deaths in the United States increased from 48,143 to 49,476 (by 2.7%) between the years 2021 and 2022 with the suicide rate for 2022 at 14.21 per 100,000 people (1.2% increase from 2021). A longer-term perspective is that after increasing for two decades, the rate of suicide appears to be leveling in recent years. At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), any loss of life is tragic and these data strengthen our resolve to stop suicide.

The following are noteworthy highlights: 

• Between 2021 and 2022, suicide rates went down from 15.2 to 13.6 per 100,000 people (10% decrease) among 15- to 24-year-olds of all races, with the biggest decrease among Native American people from 28.4 to 23.9 (15.5% decrease). It’s promising to see a decrease in rates for youth in this age range and we hope to see these trends continue. However, some youth racial groups have seen increases in rates. Since 2019, suicide rates among Black people ages 15-24 have increased by 28.3% (11.0 in 2019 to 14.1 in 2022 per 100,000 people), and increased by 5.2% among Asian American, Hawaii Native and Pacific Islanders in this age group from 10.9 in 2019 to 11.47 per 100,000 people in 2022. Rates among Hispanic people in this age group have remained relatively stable since 2019. 
• Between 2021 and 2022, among 25- to 34-year-olds, suicide rates decreased among white, Black, Hispanic, and Native American people, as well as those with more than one race. Conversely, rates increased by 11.2% among Asian American, Hawaii Native, and Pacific Islander people in this age group (from 9.5 in 2021 to 10.5 in 2022 per 100,000 people). However, since 2019, suicide rates have increased among all races in this age group, with the largest increase among Black people from 12.6 in 2019 to 15.9 in 2022 per 100,000 people (a 26.7% increase).
• Although suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24, across the youth age spectrum, those who are younger have lower suicide rates than those who are older. In 2022, youth ages 10-14 had lower rates with 2.36 deaths per 100,000 people, than those aged 20-24, who had 17.07 deaths per 100,000.
• Rates were highest for adults ages 85+ years (23.0 per 100,000 people) and next highest for those 75 to 84 years (20.3 per 100,000 people).

The highest number of suicide deaths continues to be in the White population, though there are concerning trends among different racial groups—the highest suicide rate is within the American Indian/Alaska Native populations. We know that suicide does not discriminate and at AFSP we are focused on supporting the mental health of all individuals and also the unique needs of Black, Hispanic/Latine, AAPI, Native American and LGBTQ communities. We are committed to continue developing and providing effective, widely accessible and culturally informed prevention education efforts in partnership with researchers, clinicians and  peer organizations that have expertise in these communities. AFSP now offers unique public education programs for Hispanic and Black communities and for Black faith leaders and communities. 

Of concern is the increase in firearm suicide rate by approximately 11% from 2019 to 2022. Firearm suicides account for 54.6%—more than half—of all suicides in the United States. AFSP is taking action on this issue. We are urging support on the federal and state level for firearms-related legislation to prioritize research and provide education on the relationship between suicide and firearms. We advocate implementing voluntary removal initiatives such as voluntary Do-Not-Sell List programs, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) when voluntary removal is not possible. We engage the firearm owning community in education about how to prevent suicide and secure storage of firearms, and are advocating to expand lethal means education and counseling practices within healthcare systems. Currently, 63% of suicides in non-metro/rural areas are by firearm and 70% of all firearm deaths are suicides.

Comprehensively, these data help us understand suicide as the serious public health issue that it is. We advocate for full implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy using a public health approach that includes education, support, and accessible treatments and interventions that help those in crisis and ultimately save lives. Thanks to extensive research, we know more now about preventing suicide than we did decades ago. We are encouraged by the continued change in our society that destigmatizes open discussion about mental health and suicide and are committed to continuing that progress.

You can find 2022 suicide data on AFSP’s suicide statistics page that includes national and state level data here. Note, state data is in the process of being updated. 

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.    

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