February 9, 2024

Publications

Suicide is a leading cause of death. Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. This page is a collection of surveys, publications, reports, and journal articles about suicide and suicide prevention.

CDC Reports

FEATURED: Suicide Prevention Resource for Action

Suicide Prevention Resource for Action Report Cover — CDC's Suicide Prevention Resource for Action

CDC's Suicide Prevention Resource for Action (Prevention Resource) details the strategies with the best available evidence to reduce suicide. The Prevention Resource can help states and communities prioritize suicide prevention activities most likely to have an impact.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Often called “the voice of CDC,” the MMWR series is the agency’s primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. All material in the MMWR series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

2023

Notes from the Field: Firearm Suicide Rates, by Race and Ethnicity — United States, 2019–2022

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021.

Association of Mental Health Conditions, Recent Stressful Life Events, and Adverse Childhood Experiences with Postpartum Substance Use ― Seven States, 2019–2020.

Suspected Suicide Attempts by Self-Poisoning Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2020–2022.

Notes from the Field: Recent Changes in Suicide Rates, by Race and Ethnicity and Age Group — United States, 2021.

2022

Adverse Childhood Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associations with Poor Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviors Among High School Students — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021.

Notes from the Field: Increases in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2020–2021.

Suicides Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2015–2020.

QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates, by Urbanization Level and Sex — National Vital Statistics System, 2020.

QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates for the Three Leading Methods of Suicide, by Race and Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020.

QuickStats: Percentage of Suicides and Homicides Involving a Firearm Among Persons Aged ≥10 Years, by Age Group — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020.

QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates for the Three Leading Methods of Suicide, by Race and Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020.

Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021.

Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020.

Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 39 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2018.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years — United States, 2015–2019.

Firearm Homicides and Suicides in Major Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2015–2016 and 2018–2019.

2021

Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts Among Persons Aged 12–25 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 2019–May 2021.

Changes in Suicide Rates — United States, 2018–2019.

Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adults with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, February–March 2021.

To read previously published MMWR articles, please visit: Reports by Topic | MMWR (cdc.gov)

Journal Articles

2023

Rice, K., Brown, M., Nataraj, N., & Xu, L. (2023). Circumstances contributing to suicide among U.S. adolescents 10–19 years with and without a known mental health condition: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2013–2018. Journal of Adolescent Health.

2021

Holland, K. M., Jones, C., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., et al. (2021). Trends in US emergency department visits for mental health, overdose, and violence outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(4), 372-379.

Ehlman, D. C., Haileyesus, T., Lee, R., Ballesteros, M. F., & Yard, E. (2021). Evaluation of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All injury program's self-directed violence data, United States, 2018. Journal of Safety Research, 76, 327-331.

Bledsoe, M., Captanian, A., & Somji, A. (2021). Special Report from the CDC: Strengthening social connections to prevent suicide and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Actions and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Safety Research, 77, 328-333.

Wilkins, N. J., Clayton, H., Jones, C. M., & Brown, M. (2021). Current prescription opioid misuse and suicide risk behaviors among high school students. Pediatrics, 147(4).

2020

Wang, J., Sumner, S. A., Holland, K. M., Halpin, J., Ivey-Stephenson, A., & Crosby, A. E. (2020). National trends in hospitalizations for self-directed violence related to opioids and/or depression — United States, 2000–2015. Preventive Medicine, 134, 106051.

Sumner, S. A., Burke, M., & Kooti, F. (2020). Adherence to suicide reporting guidelines by news shared on a social networking platform. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(28), 16267-16272.

Wang, J., Sumner, S. A., Simon, T. R., Crosby, A. E., Annor, F. B., Gaylor, E., ... & Holland, K. M. (2020). Trends in the incidence and lethality of suicidal acts in the United States, 2006 to 2015. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(7), 684-693.

Miller, G. F., Kegler, S. R., & Stone, D. M. (2020). Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Deaths From Firearm Suicide: United States, 2008–2017. American Journal of Public Health, 110(6), 897-899.