Suicide

Date Posted: 04/30/2008

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 in Larimer County for 2006 (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 (Age-Adjusted) - Colorado & Larimer County, 2002-2006

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

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2002 and 2004, the rate of suicides (per 100,000) in Larimer County was lower than Colorado's rate. However, for the other three years shown, Larimer County was slightly higher. There was a 5 year average of 15.4 (per 100,000) suicides in Larimer County, compared to the average of 16.1 suicides statewide. See raw data.

Nationally, more than 31,000 people commit suicide in 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, 2002-2006)

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 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 ages 85 and above had a suicide rate 2.6 times higher than the rate for 15 to 19 year olds. Larimer County also shows a distinct increase in suicides at the 55 to 64 age group compared to other age groups and is greater than the Colorado average for this age group.

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). Over the average number of suicides from 2002 to 2006, Larimer County seniors accounted for less than 3% (5 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, 2002-2006

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:

In Colorado from 1999 to 2002, adolescent suicide rates remained relatively stable. However, the rate dropped 44% from 2002 to 2003. From 2002 to 2004, less than three (0 to 2) Larimer County adolescents committed suicide each year. In 2006, three adolescents committed suicide.

Nationally in 2001, suicide for youth ages 10 to 19 was the third leading cause of death. 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 Drop-Out 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
• 2004 Community Health Survey-Health District of Northern Larimer County

Standards or Targets: Healthy People 2010 Objectives:

• Reduce the suicide rate to less than 5 per 100,000.
• Reduce the rate of suicide attempts by adolescents- 12-month average of less than 1 percent.

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

(Rate Per 100,000)

	Larimer County		Colorado
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
2002	31	11.7	724	16.0
2003	45	16.9	718	15.7
2004	33	12.3	792	17.0
2005	51	18.8	795	16.8
2006	48	17.3	724	15.0

See chart

Suicide Rates by Age Group - Colorado & Larimer County

(5 year average)

2002-2006	Larimer County		Colorado
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
10 to 14	<3	*	36	2.2
15 to 19	10	8.8	207	12.0
20 to 24	17	14.0	327	19.5
25 to 34	28	13.9	589	17.5
35 to 44	36	18.6	838	22.9
45 to 54	46	22.2	830	23.7
55 to 64	43	34.0	449	20.3
65 to 74	13	18.5	226	18.4
75 to 84	9	19.7	168	21.9
85+	5	31.0	83	31.9

*Fewer than 3 instances, no rate established.

See chart

Adolescent (13-19) Suicide Mortality - Colorado & Larimer County

	Larimer County	Colorado
2002	*	11.4
2003	*	6.4
2004	*	11.6
2005	20.0	11.3
2006	10.0	8.3
All (2002-06)	7.3	9.8

*Fewer than 3 instances, no rate established.

See chart

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