In this article, we will take a look at the 15 States with the highest suicide rates in the US.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a 36% increase in the suicide rate in the United States. In 2021, 12.3 million American adults contemplated suicide seriously, 3.5 million devised a suicide plan and 1.7 million attempted suicide. In reality, suicide rates exhibit significant variation across the country, with the highest rates often found in rural areas and regions where individuals with depression can easily access firearms.
Suicide and suicide attempts have profound emotional, physical, and economic repercussions. Survivors of suicide attempts may endure severe injuries with lasting health implications, alongside grappling with depression and other mental health issues. Moreover, suicide and suicide attempts extend their impact on the health and welfare of friends, family, colleagues, and the wider community.
Between 2000 and 2021, there was a staggering 36% rise in suicide rates. In 2021 alone, suicide claimed the lives of 48,183 individuals, equating to roughly one death every 11 minutes. However, the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts is even more alarming. In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously contemplated suicide, with 3.5 million devising plans for an attempt, and 1.7 million making actual attempts.
Since 2019, there has been a notable shift in perceiving suicide prevention as a public health concern rather than solely within clinical domains, largely due to the escalating suicide rates. A study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2019 established a direct causal relationship between workers’ wages and suicide rates, suggesting that increasing the minimum wage could swiftly reduce the incidence of suicide. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, a CDC survey revealed alarming figures: 25.5% of individuals aged 18 to 24 reported seriously contemplating suicide within the preceding 30 days, while for the age group of 25 to 44, the figure stood at 16%.
Effects of Social Media
One of the major factors contributing to the current rise in suicide rates is social media. Although social media has created unprecedented levels of global connectivity, its negative impacts, particularly on adolescents and teenagers, are significant. Numerous studies have established a connection between increased social media usage and a rise in suicide attempts among the younger population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 46,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2020, equating to a rate of 14 per 100,000. Among individuals aged 10 to 24, the suicide rate stands at 10.7 per 100,000, making it the second-leading cause of death in this age group. The teenage years are inherently stressful, with regular developmental changes and life events heightening the risk of depression and suicide. Over the past decade, the teen suicide rate has increased dramatically, coinciding with a rise in social media use among adolescents. Numerous studies have identified a correlation between social media and suicide, linking aspects of social media use to increased depression and higher suicide risk.
Excessive social media use poses a significant risk, particularly for girls. A 10-year study found that 13-year-old girls who spent two to three hours daily on social media were at a higher risk for suicide than young adults. Researchers concluded that girls and women are more sensitive to their posts not being well-received, comparisons to others, and lack of online connections. In contrast, boys tend to post and engage with humorous content more frequently. Another factor is the type of content teens consume. Some posts encourage unhealthy challenges, such as those on Snapchat and TikTok, which can lead to dangerous behaviors, including suicide.
Additionally, following individuals who exert a negative influence tends to harm health more than actively engaging and posting. Overuse of social media also increases the vulnerability of young people to cyberbullying. A systematic review has shown a link between suicidal behavior and being a victim of cyberbullying, with this connection being most pronounced among kids with mental health issues or those who also experience traditional bullying. Other studies have linked social media use to a higher risk of anxiety disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Photo by Jonathan Rados on Unsplash
See also: 20 Countries with the Highest Suicide Rates in the World and 20 Most Violent States in the US.
Our Methodology
To identify the states with the highest suicide rates in the US, we analyzed the latest available data from the National Center for Health Statistics. We calculated the average suicide rate per 100,000 people over the past five years for each state, ensuring that our assessment accounted for any fluctuations during specific periods or years. You can also take a look at our 30 Countries With The Highest Suicide Rates In The World article and see how the rankings have changed.
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15 States With The Highest Suicide Rates In The US
15. Missouri
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 19.1
Ranking 15th in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US is Missouri. In 2016, over 1,000 Missourians died by suicide, averaging one suicide every seven hours. According to the State Department of Mental Health, 107 Missourians died by suicide in March 2023, an increase from 74 in February. Data from Burrell Behavioral Health indicates that in March 2023, there were 314 crisis calls to the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
14. Oregon
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 19.3
Oregon ranks 14th in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. According to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth suicide rates in Oregon have steadily decreased from 2018 to 2021, while adult rates have risen. In 2018, the state saw a peak of 129 suicides among individuals aged 24 and younger. This number dropped to 95 deaths in 2021. However, the overall suicide rate for all ages increased from 833 deaths in 2020 to 889 deaths in 2021.
13. Kansas
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 20.5
Youth suicide rates in both Kansas and the U.S. overall steadily increased from 2001 to 2020, with a more rapid rise starting between 2014 and 2018. Over the past two decades, Kansas has consistently had a higher youth suicide rate compared to the national average. From 2001-2005 to 2016-2020, Kansas experienced a 63.8 percent increase in the youth suicide rate (from 13.0 to 21.3 per 100,000 population), surpassing the 41.4 percent increase observed across the U.S. during the same period.
12. Arizona
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 20.6
Arizona landed in the 12th spot in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. Arizona consistently reports higher suicide rates for both adolescents and older adults compared to the national average, with individuals aged 65 and older experiencing the highest rates among all age groups. Mental health professionals attribute Arizona’s high suicide rates to several factors: the state’s large retiree and older-adult population, an inadequate mental health care system, widespread drug abuse, and significant populations of military veterans and Native Americans. Additional factors include Arizona’s transient population and the availability of firearms. Social isolation, chronic pain, and the loss of a significant other can further lead elderly individuals into depression. Many do not seek mental health treatment due to stigma.
11. Nevada
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 21
Nevada secured the 11th spot in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. Nevada has ranked among the top 10 states for suicide deaths, but in 2022, its rank dropped to 11th. This improvement is partly attributed to increased access to prevention programs for younger generations. Following legislation passed in 2019, Nevada mandated suicide prevention courses for students, teachers, and administrators in middle and high schools, enhancing awareness and intervention efforts.
10. Colorado
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 21.1
Ranking 10th in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US is Colorado. Since 2016, Colorado’s suicide death rates have remained steady across all age groups, showing no significant statistical changes. In this state, a staggering 71.8% of firearm deaths are due to suicide, making it the 8th leading cause of death in Colorado. Firearms are the predominant method of suicide, with 56.7% of male and 30.7% of female suicide deaths in 2021 involving a firearm. This places Colorado’s firearm suicide rate as the 10th highest in the nation. Disturbingly, males account for nine out of 10 youth firearm suicide deaths, highlighting a critical public health issue that demands attention and action.
9. Oklahoma
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 21.4
In 2019, Oklahoma experienced a toll of 786 suicides among its residents, with a stark gender disparity: 628 males and 158 females. Suicides accounted for 67% of all violent deaths in the state. The average age of those who died by suicide was 46, but the victims ranged widely in age, from as young as 11 to as old as 96. Across all age groups, males consistently had a higher suicide rate than females, underscoring a persistent and troubling trend in the demographics of suicide.
8. South Dakota
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 21.6
South Dakota ranks 8th in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. In South Dakota, suicide emerged as the leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 19 and 20 to 29 in 2022. The state had the fifth-highest age-adjusted suicide death rate in the United States in 2021. In 2022 alone, South Dakota witnessed 192 suicides, reflecting a troubling trend. Over the decade from 2013 to 2022, males accounted for a staggering 78% of these suicides, while females made up 22%. This data highlights a significant public health challenge that urgently needs to be addressed.
7. Utah
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 22.1
Ranking 7th in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US is Utah. From 2020 to 2022, Utah faced a suicide rate of 20.85 per 100,000 people, averaging 670 suicides each year. The situation grew more dire in 2022, with 717 individuals taking their own lives. Particularly alarming is that, in 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death for Utahns aged 10 to 17 and 18 to 24, underscoring a critical and urgent public health crisis among the state’s youth and young adults.
6. Idaho
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 22.2
Idaho landed in the 6th spot in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. In Idaho, males were significantly more likely to die by suicide, accounting for 8 out of 10 suicide deaths. In 2021, suicide remained the second leading cause of death among Idahoans aged 10 to 24. The impact on young lives is particularly stark: between 2017 and 2021, 132 schoolchildren aged 10 to 18 died by suicide, including 34 children who were 14 or younger.
5. North Dakota
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 22.5
North Dakota secured the 5th spot in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. In North Dakota, suicide tragically stands as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24. Schools play a critical role in suicide prevention, with administrators, teachers, school-based mental health providers, and all other personnel who interact with students having the potential to make a significant difference in keeping them safe. Recognizing that suicide is a preventable public health problem, school personnel bear a legal and ethical responsibility to identify and respond to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
4. New Mexico
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 24.7
Suicidal behaviors pose a serious public health problem and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in New Mexico. In 2018, suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in the state. It was the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 5 to 34 and the fourth among those aged 35 to 44. Both New Mexico and the United States have seen an increase in suicide deaths, with New Mexico’s suicide rates being at least 50% higher than the national average over the past 20 years. Mental disorders, especially clinical depression, significantly increase the risk of both attempted suicide and suicide. This highlights the urgent need for effective mental health interventions and support systems to address this escalating crisis.
3. Wyoming
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 25.6
Ranking 3rd in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US isa Wyoming. Wyoming, with its vast landscapes and tight-knit communities, faces a sobering reality as it holds the highest suicide rate in the United States for many years. In 2019, this rate stood at 29.4 deaths per 100,000 people—double the national average of 14.5 deaths per 100,000. Suicide ranks as the 7th leading cause of death overall in Wyoming, but the situation is especially poignant among younger demographics, where it claims the grim distinction of being the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 44. These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health initiatives and community support to address this pressing issue.
2. Alaska
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 27.6
Alaska ranks 2nd in our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US. Alaska, known for its vast wilderness and rugged landscapes, grapples with a particularly stark reality when it comes to suicide. For those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and residing in rural communities, the risk is even more pronounced. According to the latest available data of CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, Alaska has a death rate of 27.6 per one hundred thousand people. In 2007, while the national suicide rate in the United States was 11.5 per 100,000 people, Alaska’s rate was alarmingly higher at 21.8 suicides per 100,000 people. Among Alaska Native peoples, the situation was even more dire, with a staggering rate of 35.1 suicides per 100,000 people.
1. Montana
Suicide Death Rate Per 100K People: 28.7
Topping our list of the 15 states with the highest suicide rates in the US is Montana. According to the latest data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, Montana’s death rate stands at 28.7 per 100,000 people. The death toll is stark with more than four times the number of individuals who died in Montana by suicide in 2019 compared to those lost in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. (See also: 20 States that Consume the Most Alcohol per Capita). Behind these statistics lies a harsh reality: access to mental health care remains a significant challenge. In 2021, federal guidelines revealed that a staggering 74.91% of Montana’s communities lacked sufficient mental health providers to meet the needs of their residents. This scarcity underscores the ongoing struggle for individuals grappling with mental health issues across the state, highlighting the urgent need for expanded resources and support to curb the devastating impact of suicide.
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