Suicide Timing in 18 States of the United States from 2003–2014

Abstract

We investigated suicide timing over different time periods by age, sex and race/ethnicity. A total of 122,107 suicide deaths were identified from the population-based U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System in 18 U.S. states from 2003 through 2014. Suicides significantly increased (p < .05) from March to peak in September before falling, the first week of the month, and early in the week. Suicides also significantly increased (p < .05) in the morning, mainly peaking during the afternoon, although suicides in adolescents peaked in the evening and in those 65-years and older peaked in the morning. Comprehensive prevention efforts should focus on those at overall increased suicide risk and at peaks of high suicide frequency, especially among those vulnerable subgroups.

Keywords:

• age
• general population
• race/ethnicity
• sex
• suicide timing

Niu Tian and Matthew Zack, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Katherine A. Fowler, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Dale C. Hesdorffor, GH Sergievsky Center and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Niu Tian, Division of Population Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop F-78, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial/research/academic organization, with regard to the content/research work discussed in the manuscript.

DISCLAIMER

The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew Zack

Niu Tian and Matthew Zack, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Katherine A. Fowler

Katherine A. Fowler, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Dale C. Hesdorffor

Dale C. Hesdorffor, GH Sergievsky Center and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.