Someone in immediate danger Call 911 and stay with them.
Warning signs and what helps
Possible warning signs: talking about wanting to die or being a burden, hopelessness, withdrawing from people, giving away belongings, increased substance use, sudden calm after a long low period.
Ask directly. Asking does not plant the idea.
Stay with them and connect them to 988 or a clinician.
Reduce access to lethal means, such as locking firearms away or storing them off-site. This is among the best-supported prevention steps.
Follow up after a crisis or hospital stay; check-ins reduce later risk.
Reading the data carefully
Rates, not counts. Rates per 100,000 compare groups fairly.
Age-adjusted vs. crude. Age-adjusted removes age-mix effects; the age chart uses crude rates.
Misclassification. Race and ethnicity are sometimes recorded wrongly on death records.
Small populations swing a lot year to year.
Different years. CDC releases lag, so each chart shows its own year.
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Frequently asked questions
Which group has the highest suicide rate in the US?
By age, adults 85 and older. By sex, men, at about four times the rate of women. By race and ethnicity, American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Which US state has the highest suicide rate?
In 2024 Alaska led (29.7 per 100,000), then Wyoming and Montana. D.C. was lowest.
Which country has the highest suicide rate?
WHO's 2021 estimates put Lesotho (40.7 per 100,000), Eswatini (31.7) and Nauru (30.2) highest, though these are small countries with less certain estimates. Country comparisons are uncertain because many countries undercount suicides.
Does asking someone about suicide make it worse?
No. Research shows asking directly does not increase risk and can open the door to help.
How do I get help right now in the US?
Call or text 988 any time. In immediate danger, call 911.