Citation

Yockey RA, King K, Vidourek R. Crisis 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000732

PMID

33151106

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide remains a major public health problem in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in suicide ideation, planning, and attempts among a national sample of US adults.

METHOD: We used aggregated 2015-2018 data from the National Survey Drug Use and Health Survey. We utilized demographic and substance use questions with each suicide behavior. We assessed weighted absolute and relative changes in a national sample of 7,654 adults.

RESULTS: Results revealed that from 2015 to 2018, there was a 16.0% increase in suicide ideation, 18.6% increase in suicide planning, and 11.6% increase in suicide attempts. Significant increases in each behavior were found in African Americans, younger adults, sexual minorities, and individuals who reported past-year drug use. Limitations: Limitations include self-report of suicidal behaviors and desirability of answers.

CONCLUSION: We believe our findings can inform harm reduction efforts and health messages surrounding suicide prevention.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; drug use; trends