Suicide

Date Posted: 12/01/2009

Mortality refers to the number or rate of deaths that occur in a population. Mortality data below are presented in crude death and age-adjusted rates. Crude death rates are calculated by dividing the number of deaths from a specific disease or cause by the number of people in the population. Crude death rates should only be compared among populations with a similar age distribution. If the distribution is not similar, age-adjusted rates should be used to account for differences in the age composition of the populations. Note: Crude death rates should be considered first, as they are actual events. Although adjusted rates provide accurate comparisons, they do not reveal the underlying raw data shown by the crude rate.

Suicide was the 7th overall leading cause of death in Colorado and the 9^th overall leading cause of death in Larimer County for 2008 (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment). Nationally, someone commits suicide every 17 minutes (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Suicide Report).

What this chart shows: Suicide Mortality Rate (Age-Adjusted) - Colorado & Larimer County, 2004-2008

*Age-adjusted rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2004, 2007 and 2008, the rate of suicides (per 100,000) in Larimer County was lower than Colorado's rate. However, for the other two years shown, Larimer County was slightly higher. The 5-year average in Larimer County was 14.1 suicides (per 100,000), well above the Healthy People 2010 objective of 5.0, compared to the average of 16.1 suicides (per 100,000) statewide. (See data table)

Nationally, more than 33,000 people commit suicide each year. That equates to approximately 11 suicides per 100,000 people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the rate of suicides tends to be higher in western states than in eastern states. For a map of how states compare to the national average of suicides, see the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's report on suicide.

What this chart shows: Suicide Rates by Age - Colorado & Larimer County (5-Year Average, 2004-2008)

*Crude Death Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Colorado Health Information DatasetSee data table

What these data tell us:

The rate of suicide in Colorado and Larimer County shows marked increases at the 85 and above age group compared to other age groups. In Larimer County, residents age 85 and above had a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the rate for 15 to 24 year olds.

Comparisons of rates of suicide deaths among seniors should be made with caution because there are a relatively few number of seniors who commit suicide each year in Larimer County. Minor fluctuations in the number of deaths have a large impact on the computed rate (see data table). From 2004 to 2008, Larimer County seniors (65 and older) accounted, on average, for 15.0% (31 deaths) of all county suicides.

New research shows that the reasons for suicide among the elderly are not simple; they depend on things such as poor sleep patterns, lack of social supports, and declining memory function (Turvey, 2002).

What this chart shows: Adolescent Suicide Mortality - Colorado & Larimer County, 2004-2008

*Crude Death Rate

(Rates were not calculated when there were fewer than 3 instances, to protect confidentiality.)

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What these data tell us:

Suicide rates for youth age 13 to 19 have fluctuated widely between 2004 and 2008, although the numbers remain small. In 2004 and 2007 there were fewer than three teen suicides in Larimer County. The highest number of teen suicides (n=6) occurred in 2005.

In 2005, suicide for youth ages 15 to 19 was the third leading cause of death in the nation. Risk factors for youth suicide include: previous suicide attempts; depression and/or alcohol or substance abuse; family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, or suicide; stressful situation or loss; easy access to guns; and exposure to other youth who have died by suicide (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center).

Additional Information:

On Compass -

• Adult Alcohol Use
• High School Dropout Rates
• Mental Health Status
• Poverty
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Youth Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug Use
• Youth Attitudes Toward Smoking

Outside Compass -

• Centers for Disease Control - Suicide Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control - Suicide Facts
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Suicide Report, 2002
• The Colorado Trust - evaluation of Colorado LINK, an education, outreach, and prevention program for teen suicide.
• Suicide Resource Center of Larimer County
• National Institute of Mental Health Suicide Facts

Standards or Targets: Healthy People 2010 Objectives:

• 18-1. Reduce the suicide rate to 5.0 per 100,000 population
• 18-2. Reduce the rate of suicide attempts by adolescents to 12-month average of 1 percent

Data Tables:Suicide Mortality (Age-Adjusted) - Colorado & Larimer County

(Rate per 100,000)

	Colorado		Larimer County
	Rate	Number	Rate	Number
2004	16.8	792	12.0	33
2005	16.8	795	18.2	51
2006	14.9	724	15.8	48
2007	16.2	805	11.6	34
2008	15.8	801	12.7	37
5-Year Average	16.1	783	14.1	41

See chart

Suicide Rates by Age Group (5-year average)

2004-2008	Colorado		Larimer County
	Rate	Number	Rate	Number
15 to 24	15.2	546	11.3	28
25 to 34	18.0	594	14.4	30
35 to 44	21.7	799	15.7	31
45 to 54	25.1	924	20.8	45
55 to 64	21.2	531	24.4	35
65 to 74	16.0	205	14.4	11
75 to 84	25.4	203	26.2	13
85+	29.9	81	39.8	7

See chart

Adolescent (13-19) Suicide Mortality Rate

	Colorado	Larimer County
2004	11.5	*
2005	11.2	19.7
2006	8.2	9.9
2007	7.3	*
2008	10.1	13.1

*Fewer than 3 instances, no rate established.

See chart

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