Suicide Trends in Indiana: Recommendations for Prevention

Abstract

Suicide, or intentional self-harm, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Suicide rates among Hoosiers have increased from 12.6 per 100,000 in 2008 to 16.3 per 100,000 in 2017, a nearly 30 percent increase over the 10-year period. One in 10 Indiana high school students attempted and survived suicide; those who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual had significantly higher rates of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors compared to students who identified as heterosexual. A variety of factors contribute to a person’s likelihood to engage in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Though anyone can be affected by suicide, there are some groups within the population that are at a particularly high risk due to the stresses they experience. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of suicide risks, trends, and current interventions in Indiana. To accomplish this, we (1) reviewed the literature and existing data, (2) conducted key informant interviews with state experts, and (3) synthesized the information to provide recommendations for suicide prevention.