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Suicide Facts: 1999 Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide was he eighth leading cause of death of males and 19th leading cause of death for females. The total number of suicide deaths was 29,199. There were twice as many deaths due suicide than deaths due to HIV/AIDS (14,802). Suicide outnumbered homicides (16,899) by five to three. There were almost exactly the same number of suicides by firearm (16,889) as homicides (16,599). Suicide by firearms was the most common method for both men and women, accounting for 57 percent of all suicides. Suicide was the third leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide.
Attempted Suicide There are an estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides to one successful suicide; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and elderly More women than men report a history of attempted suicide, with a gender ratio of 3:1. The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide for adults are depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse and separation or divorce. The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression, alcohol or other drug use disorder and aggressive or disruptive behaviors.
Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/suifact.htm (National Institute of Mental Health).